Toronto, ON (Best E Casino) - Mike Mussina was solid on the mound to post his 19th win of the year and Jason Giambi clubbed his 32nd homer on the season, though the Yankees were eliminated from playoff contention despite a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Boston edged Cleveland 5-4 on Tuesday to clinch a playoff berth, which left New York on the outside of the postseason picture looking in for the first time since the 1993 campaign.

Mussina (19-9) allowed just four hits and fanned six batters over five scoreless frames to become the first pitcher in major league history to win 19 games three times without ever winning 20. That could change, though, as Mussina is set to start the final game of the season in Boston on Sunday to go for his 20th victory. Mariano Rivera tossed a perfect ninth to record his 38th save of the year.

Robinson Cano drove in a run and scored for the Yankees, who have won six straight games. Brett Gardner went 2-for-4 in the bittersweet triumph while Giambi also scored twice.

New York was without its captain, shortstop Derek Jeter, who was not in the lineup after getting hit on his left hand Saturday by a pitch from Baltimore's Jim Miller. Cody Ransom got the start at shortstop instead, although Jeter came on as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning.

"It should be a disappointment for everyone, regardless of whether you've been there or not," Jeter said. "When you go into spring training you have one goal, and that's to get to the postseason."

Jesse Litsch (12-9) took the loss after giving up three runs -- two earned -- on five hits over seven stanzas. He also struck out eight while walking only one.

"You finish strong and come into next year with the same attitude that you've had over the past six or seven starts," Litsch said. "It's what I'm going for right now and it's something to build on."

Scott Rolen drove in the lone run for the Blue Jays, who have dropped three of four. Adam Lind went 2-for-3 and scored in defeat.

The Yankees grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Giambi worked a one-out single and moved to third as Xavier Nady followed with a double. Cano then grounded out, which scored Giambi.

Mussina took a line drive off his right elbow with one out in the third inning off the bat of Travis Snider. Pitching coach Dave Eiland came out to check on the 39-year-old righty, who was granted a few extra pitches to see if he could continue, and Mussina stayed in to get Joe Inglett to ground into a double play.

Giambi made it a 2-0 affair in the fourth inning as he launched a one-out homer into the seats in right-center field.

New York took a 3-0 lead in the seventh. Cano smacked a double to center field, moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch and slid in under the tag at home on a passed ball.

With one out in the seventh, Damaso Marte took over for Brian Bruney on the hill but yielded a single to Lind and walked Lyle Overbay before getting the hook in favor of Joba Chamberlain. Rolen greeted the young righty to the game with an RBI single, before Chamberlain struck out Gregg Zaun and Snider swinging to get out of the jam.

In the eighth, Chamberlain gave up a two-out single to Alex Rios and got Vernon Wells to ground into what looked like an easy 6-3 play. However, Ransom's throw went over the head of Giambi and into the seats to make it second and third. Lind was then intentionally walked to load the bases, but Overbay was caught looking at the third strike to end the threat.

Rivera came in to pitch the ninth and retired the side in order to get the save.

Game Notes

Litsch, a 23-year-old righty, was after a fourth straight win...Toronto has split 16 meetings with the Yankees this season...Toronto left eight men on base and New York stranded four...Mussina has 269 wins, moving past Jim Palmer into sole possession of 34th place on the all-time list.