Yankees complete sweep of Twins for sixth win in a row

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees extended their winning streak to six games by beating the Minnesota Twins 5-1 on Wednesday to complete a sweep of their three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

Boosted by eight innings of shutout pitching by rejuvenated veteran Mike Mussina and two-run doubles by Alex Rodriguez and rookie Justin Christian, the Yankees won their 10th straight at home ahead of a weekend series in Boston against the Red Sox.

The 39-year-old Mussina, who was 11-10 last year, improved to 13-6 with a 3.26 earned run average. He gave up six hits and struck out seven without walking a batter.

"You could make a case he's our MVP so far this season," Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters about the crafty right-hander. "Without Moose, I don't know where we'd be. It almost seems like he gets better and better.

The Yankees remained 3.5 games behind AL East-leading Tampa Bay, with the rival Red Sox one game back of the Rays as they wrapped up their series against Seattle.

"I just think he's using all his pitches, changing speeds and moving the ball in and out," Girardi said about Mussina.

Mussina and Twins lefty Glen Perkins, who slipped to 7-3, were locked in a scoreless pitchers' duel until the fifth.

The Yankees struck first when outfielder Christian brought home Robinson Cano and Jose Molina with a double down the left-field line with two outs in the fifth.

The Yanks gave themselves a cushion in the next frame on a two-run double by Alex Rodriguez that scored Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu and a sacrifice fly from Richie Sexson to make it 5-0.

A ninth-inning rally off New York reliever LaTroy Hawkins saw the Twins score one run and put men on first and third with two outs.

Girardi then summoned relief ace Mariano Rivera, who struck out Jason Kubel looking to end it and register his 25th save.

The Yankees raised their record to a season-high 11 games over .500 at 56-45.

Minnesota remain second in the AL Central, having dropped to 55-46, 2.5 games behind the leading Chicago White Sox.

(Writing by Larry Fine, editing by Ken Ferris)