On the Yankees beat

That's why Joe Torre opted to send out a significantly toned-down lineup. Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon were both on the bench to start the game and Derek Jeter was the designated hitter, with Torre hoping these moves will help his team recover from what has been a highly successful yet very drained four games in three days. With a six-hour flight following the game and six games in a row on the West Coast, Torre wants his players to have the energy to keep this run going.

On the injury front, Mike Mussina did not want to predict whether he will make his next start on Friday, saying he will know a lot more when he throws on the side tomorrow in Seattle. He did ride a bike and said he experienced no real pain in his right groin as he walked around. But this being the second time the injury has cropped up this season, he did admit it's something he will have to keep an eye for the rest of the season. Also, Kyle Farnsworth said he was available to pitch this afternoon, three days after getting drilled on the calf by Wily Mo Pena's liner.

As for me, I'm actually looking forward to the 7 a.m. flight to Seattle tomorrow. Getting to the airport and onto the plane is always a bit of a pain, but I don't mind the act of flying. It's not too often you are forced to sit down for an extended period of time, so you might as well as look at it as a time to kick back and relax.