Mike Mussina probably turned a paler shade of Moose when he watched Joba Chamberlain, Brian Bruney and Damaso Marte try to sabotage his 20th win. The trio gave up two runs while recording two outs, narrowing New York’s lead to 3-2. But New York summoned Mariano Rivera into the game, and the Yankees closer–who will likely have arthroscopic surgery to address a shoulder calcification this offseason–struck out Dustin Pedroia to end Boston’s threat. 

Rivera is making his 16th multi-inning appearance of the 2008 season, while Jonathan Papelbon has made just 13 such appearances. Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez has not made a single multi-inning appearance this year. 

Papelbon, incidentally, is on the bump in the ninth, and has struggled amidst slippery (and meaningless) conditions. The lack of meaning in this game might be part of the reason–in spring training games, Papelbon has admitted in the past that it has been difficult for him to generate enough adrenaline to deliver dominating stuff.