Arlington, TX (My Sportsbook) - Mike Mussina was convincing on the mound to tie Cleveland ace Cliff Lee for the most wins in the American League, with 15, as the New York Yankees edged the Texas Rangers, 3-0, to force a split in the four-game series.

Mussina (15-7) went seven strong and gave up eight hits while fanning six and walking one en route to his 265th career victory. Mariano Rivera hurled a perfect ninth to record his 28th save in as many opportunities.

"I just worked the corners and tried to keep the ball in play," said Mussina.

Derek Jeter went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and finished with two RBI for the Yankees, who have triumphed in four of their last six contests. Johnny Damon drove in the other run for NY.

Scott Feldman (4-5) took the loss despite a decent outing. He gave up just two runs on seven hits over seven frames.

Marlon Byrd went 3-for-4 with two doubles for the Rangers, who have dropped their last two after a three-game winning streak. Frank Catalanotto and Ramon Vazquez recorded two hits apiece in defeat.

Jeter put the Yankees on top in the first inning as he crushed a homer to the bleachers in left-center field.

The Yankees made it 2-0 in the fifth stanza. Robinson Cano singled but was out as Wilson Betemit followed by grounding into a force play. Jose Molina advanced Betemit to second with a grounder and Damon brought him home with a single to right field.

The Rangers threatened in the sixth but came up empty. Byrd clubbed a one-out double to right and Brandon Boggs hit a slow roller back to Mussina, who threw to Alex Rodriguez at third to catch Byrd in a rundown. Byrd was tagged for the out and the ball was relayed to Cano in time to tag out Boggs, who attempted to take second during the pickle.

"The guys did a great job tonight," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "To shut down a team like this really says something."

NY tacked on an insurance run in the ninth. Cano led off with a double but was out at third as Betemit followed with a fielder's choice. Molina grounded out and Damon made it first and second with a base hit. Jeter then brought Betemit home with a single, but was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double.

Rivera then came on to close the door, retiring Josh Hamilton, Byrd and Boggs in order to make it official.

Game Notes

Ahead of Mussina and Lee for the major league lead is Arizona's Brandon Webb, who tops the majors with 16 wins thus far. Mussina has faced Texas 37 times and owns an 18-13 lifetime record against them. His 265th career victory tied him for 37th place all-time with Jim McCormick...Texas has won four of seven from the Yankees this season...After opting against season-ending knee surgery, Yankees designated hitter/left fielder Hideki Matsui began a running program Thursday to rehab his sore left knee...Prior to the game, Texas placed outfielder David Murphy on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of outfielder Jason Ellison from Triple-A Oklahoma. Texas also transferred pitcher A.J. Murray from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.