• Recap
• Bleachers

Mussina wins 20th game as Yankees top Red Sox

Sep 28, 2008 - 11:23 PM By Brian Devine PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Mike Mussina tossed six shutout innings and Xavier Nady hit a three-run homer to help the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox, 6-2, on Sunday.

Mussina (20-9) had to wait out an hour-long rain delay before he could begin his quest for his first 20-win season. Ironically, it was 12 years ago to the day when he had that same opportunity, when he pitched eight innings of one-run ball but settled for a no-decision.

"Having waited until my last year and all these years in New York, at 39 years old ... I guess it is worth it being close all those times to be able to do it this late in your career," Mussina said.

With the victory, Mussina joined Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Jamie Moyer as the only pitchers aged 39 or older to win 20 games in a season since 2000. Mussina blanked the Red Sox in six frames, surrendering just three hits, walking two and striking out two en route to his ninth road win of the season.

"We talked about Moose having a good year, and I think he exceeded everyone's expectations and it's remarkable what he's been able to do," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We're not sure what he's going to do next year, but so far he's had one heck of a career."

In the fourth inning, Nady snapped a scoreless tie with a three-run blast that hit the top of the wall and bounced into the seats. It was Nady's 25th home run of the season and 12th as a member of the Yankees.

Nady's three-run blast was set up by a pair of walks by Boston righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka, who entered the contest having issued 92 free passes. Matsuzaka (18-3) tossed 73 pitches over four innings, giving up three runs and four hits while striking out five and walking two. It was his first loss since July 28.

"I was told it could be a three- to four-inning outing today anyway before the game, so I wasn't too concerned about the win or the loss," Matsuzaka said. "Really, today was preparation for the playoffs, and it was great that I was able to throw in the game."

Boston was able to score a pair of runs in the eighth inning, but Mariano Rivera struck out Dustin Pedroia with a runner on to end the rally. Pedroia collected a pair of hits to bring his season total to 213, tying him with Jim Rice for fourth-most in club history.

The Yankees were able to add three insurance runs in the ninth off Jonathan Papelbon.

Rivera collected his 39th save for New York, which has won nine of its last 10 games to improve to 9-8 against Boston this season.