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Bronx Bombers aim to break out brooms on Baltimore

(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees try to keep the pressure on the Boston Red Sox in the American League East this evening when they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

New York moved within 2 1/2 games of the Red Sox on Tuesday, as Mike Mussina tossed seven brilliant shutout innings while Doug Mientkiewicz homered and finished with four RBI, leading the Yankees to a 12-0 rout.

Mussina (10-10) struck out six and issued only one walk for the Yankees, who have won three straight and 11 of 13 to increase their lead over Detroit to 4 1/2 games atop the wild card standings.

Melky Cabrera and Hideki Matsui both drove in three runs and Derek Jeter ended 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the win.

Jon Leicester (2-2) suffered the loss after he allowed six runs on six hits over four innings. Ramon Hernandez posted two of the three hits for Baltimore, which has dropped six of its last nine games overall.

Getting the ball for the Yankees tonight will be left-hander Andy Pettitte, who has been a big reason behind the team's turnaround. Pettitte, who will be shooting for career win No. 200 this evening, received a no-decision against the Red Sox on Friday, as he allowed five runs (four earned) and nine hits in four innings of an 8-7 win. He has, though, won seven of his last eight decisions.

Pettitte has owned the Orioles over the course of his career, going 20-6 against them with a 3.73 ERA in 32 games, 30 of which were starts.

Baltimore will counter with lefty Brian Burress, who is 6-5 with a 5.47 ERA. Burres had his best start of the season on Friday against Toronto, as he scattered eight hits over seven scoreless innings to nail down the win against the Blue Jays.

Burres is 1-0 lifetime against the Yankees with a 2.53 ERA in five games (one start).

Baltimore has been a thorn in the Yankees' side this season, despite the fact that it is 22 games below .500. The Orioles have won eight of 14 from the Yanks this season and have split the eight meetings in the Bronx.

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