The Yankees didn't exactly break out a can of whup ass on the lowly Tigers last night. Instead, they struggled to earn a 4-2 victory. According to The New York Times:

"This is not like other sports like football or basketball where, salary-wise or talent-wise, you might have a lot better team and can just go out and muscle people," said the Yankees' manager, Joe Torre. "You just can't do that in this game."

But never mind how frustrating the game was to watch, they got the win and that's all that counts. Jose Contreras started off brilliantly, but fell apart after he tweaked his ankle fielding a grounder. The bullpen did a fine job, and Mariano Rivera survived a ninth inning error and a long foul ball to earn the save.

Bernie Williams delivered the game-winning single, and Godzilla Matsui made a nifty shoe-string catch in death valley. Jason Giambi was given the night off.

The Red Sox beat the Orioles, 9-2 and continue to trail New York by 3 1/2 games. But they gained a game on the Mariners in the wildcard race, as Seattle fell to the Rangers in extra-innings.