NEW YORK - Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer, Alex Rodriguez also connected and the New York Yankees made it an easy night for Mike Mussina in a 7-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday.

Richie Sexson hit an RBI single in his first at-bat with the Yankees, and Mussina (12-6) pitched six effective innings to tie Cleveland's Cliff Lee and fellow All-Star Joe Saunders of the Los Angeles Angels for most wins in the AL.

Mussina was left off the All-Star team for Tuesday night's showcase at Yankee Stadium, but he's certainly pitched like one of baseball's best this season.

The 39-year-old right-hander allowed eight singles and a double, but did not walk a batter for the eighth time this year. Relying on pinpoint control, he has 16 walks in 20 starts spanning 113 1-3 innings.

Mussina gave up an RBI groundout to Ryan Sweeney in the first, then settled in to finish with six strikeouts. David Robertson struck out all three hitters in the seventh, Edwar Ramirez worked a perfect eighth and LaTroy Hawkins tossed a 1-2-3 ninth as New York pitchers combined to retire their final 14 batters.

Bobby Abreu added an RBI double for the Yankees and Rodriguez (three hits) had a run-scoring single off lefty Greg Smith (5-8), handed the ball when scheduled starter Joe Blaton was traded to Philadelphia on Thursday.

New York, which began a stretch that includes 13 of 16 games at home, equaled a season high by winning its fifth consecutive home game.

Looking for another second-half surge to match last year, the Yankees improved to 10-3 against AL West teams.

Yankees 7

Athletics 1