-The Yanks continued to roll earlier today defeating the Twins 5-1 at the Stadium sweeping the three-game set improving to a perfect 6-0 since the break. Rookie left fielder Justin Christian broke a scoreless tie with a two-run fifth inning double. That was enough support for veteran righty Mike Mussina, who continued his bounce back season tossing eight scoreless scattering six hits walking none and striking out seven to improve to 13-6 lowering his ERA to 3.26. The Yanks added three more runs in the sixth thanks to a two-run double by Alex Rodriguez plus a Richie Sexson sacrifice fly. After relief failure LaTroy Hawkins permitted Minnesota’s only run in the ninth, Mariano Rivera came on to get the final out striking out Jason Kubel looking for his 25th save.

-The Yankees couldn’t gain ground on the Rays, who edged the A’s 4-3 in St. Pete thanks to a solid eight and a third from James Shields allowing three earned before veteran Troy Percival got the final two outs for his 20th save. Johnny Gomes his his eighth home run and shortstop Ben Zobrist drove in a pair with a solo shot and RBI single which proved to be the difference.

-AL WC leader Boston is scoreless with Seattle in the second inning. They lead the Yanks by two and a half pending today’s outcome.

-The AL Central division leading White Sox got a multi-homer game from slugging first baseman Carlos Quentin, who slugged No’s 25 and 26 including a go-ahead three-run job in a five-run eighth as Chicago came back to defeat Texas 10-8. Quentin now leads the AL homers and his 76 rank second 22 behind major league leader Josh Hamilton, who took the collar in four trips whiffing three times. Chicago leads the Twins by two games.

-John Maine looks to get the Mets back on track against Brett Myers in a couple of hours at Shea after last night’s ninth inning debacle. It’s no secret that Johan Santana should have been in there to start the ninth. Though he only has six career complete games, yesterday was a situation which called upon the 29 year-old Venezuelan to go the distance. It didn’t sound like he was out of gas based on his answers following the game but Santana wouldn’t second guess Jerry Manuel. Most great pitchers want the ball in that spot. He threw the same amount of pitches (105) that a 10 year older Moose tossed earlier today in eight. The Mets needed to go for the jugular there.

-The base running mistakes by Endy Chavez getting tossed out at the plate twice thanks to faulty third base coaching from Sandy Alomar didn’t help which wasn’t the first time the latter erred. How does he still have a job? Neither did Phillies’ All-Star second baseman Chase Utley’s diving snag of a Fernando Tatis line drive to help his team escape a bases loaded jam in the seventh, which turned out to be the play of the game.

-If the Rockies can win again over the Dodgers, they’ll put even more pressure on Arizona. Who thinks the Cubs are getting swept?

-Update: Kevin Youkilis’ two-run third inning double has Boston ahead 2-0 over the Mariners.