Mussina semi-competent, A-Rod smacks #499 as Yanks win again

Melky Cabrera provided all the offense Mike Mussina and five relievers would need with a two-run second inning homer, and Alex Rodriguez provided some eighth inning insurance with career home run number 499 as the Yankees won their sixth straight, 7-1 over the Royals.

Mussina was effective enough, pitching into the sixth while allowing only a single run, then watched as the bullpen merry-go-round held the lead for Moose's fifth win of the season.

Meanwhile, A-Rod moved within one of becoming the youngest member of the 500 HR club with his opposite field, two-run blast which - for the second night in a row - turned a tight contest into a rout. Hideki Matsui followed with a solo shot, before Andy Phillips' RBI double provided the final margin.

The Red Sox 1-0 loss in Cleveland allowed the Yankees to pick up a game in the AL East, where they are now 6 1/2 back. Kei Igawa takes the ball tonight as the Yanks go for the sweep, facing Jorge De La Rosa, the man who surrendered A-Rod's 400th homer in 2005 while pitching for the Brewers.