Associated Press
BOSTON ó Mike Mussina wrapped up a postgame television interview on the field then returned to the New York Yankees clubhouse.
In a season with little to celebrate, his teammates gave him a rousing welcome ó one he had waited his entire 18-year career to receive. Mussina had just become the oldest pitcher to win 20 games in a season for the first time as the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 6-2 Sunday.
“This is one of those things that I think will take a while to sink in,” said Mussina, who has won at least 18 games five other times.
Less than three months before his 40th birthday, Mussina (20-9) gave up three hits in six shutout innings in his final start of a season in which the Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993. He did return to the field to bring out the lineup card for the second game.
“I’m proud of myself to be able to do this after last year,” he said.
Last year he had the highest ERA of his career (5.15). This season, it was 3.37.
Previously, the oldest first-time 20-game winner was Jamie Moyer, who was 38 when he went 20-6 for Seattle in 2001.
Mussina’s previous high for wins came in 1995 and 1996, when he won 19 games each year for Baltimore.
Twins 6, Royals 0
MINNEAPOLIS ó Scott Baker scattered four singles over seven shutout innings, pitching the Twins past the Kansas City Royals 6-0 on Sunday to preserve their half-game lead in the AL Central. The White Sox snapped their five-game losing streak by beating Cleveland .
White Sox 5, Indians 1
CHICAGO ó Mark Buehrle won on three days’ rest, Paul Konerko hit his fourth homer in three games and Jermaine Dye had a two-run single to lead the White Sox.
Angels 7, Rangers 0
ANAHEIM, Calif. ó The Angels posted their team-record 100th win, with Joe Saunders pitching six sharp innings and Mike Napoli homering in their final postseason tuneup.
Rays 8, Tigers 7, 11 innings
DETROIT ó Ben Zobrist hit a go-ahead single in a four-run eighth and had a solo homer in the 11th, lifting the playoff-bound Rays to a win over the Tigers.
Blue Jays 10, Orioles 1
BALTIMOREó Vernon Wells went 4-for-4, homered twice and had five RBIs for Toronto.
Mariners 4, Athletics 3
SEATTLE ó Ichiro Suzuki had two hits and scored the decisive run for Seattle.