TAMPA, Fla. - Mike Mussina did not allow a hit in four scoreless innings and the New York Yankees beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 Sunday.

The Yankees' probable opening day starter retired 12 straight after walking leadoff hitter Tike Redman in the first inning. Mussina struck out two and walked one.

"After the first guy, I was able to get ahead of everybody else," he said. "They put the ball in play on the first two or three pitches."

Mussina threw just 37 pitches, including 25 strikes.

"Not enough work almost," Mussina said. "In the midst of the season, you hope for days like this."

Bubba Crosby, bidding for a backup outfield spot, hit a three-run homer in the sixth to put the Yankees up 5-2.

Derek Jeter stole second and scored on Alex Rodriguez's single in the first. Gary Sheffield made it 2-0 when he hit a first-inning RBI single for the third consecutive day.

Rodriguez was 1-for-2 and has nine hits in 19 at-bats this spring.

Redman prevented further damage in the first with a two-out diving catch on Hideki Matsui's liner to center.

Jason Bay singled off Donovan Osborne with one out in the fifth for the Pirates' first hit. Osborne, who will start in place of an injured Jon Lieber on Friday, gave up two runs and six hits in three innings.

Lieber will not pitch in a game for a couple weeks because of an injured right groin. He is doubtful for the start of the regular season.

The Pirates tied it 2-all in the sixth on Rob Mackowiak's RBI grounder and a sacrifice fly by Craig Wilson. Andy Abad had a run-scoring double in the eighth.

Pittsburgh starter Brian Meadows gave up two runs and five hits in two innings. He replaced Rick Reed, who missed his scheduled start with back stiffness.

Enrique Wilson, who has emerged as the front-runner to start at second base for the Yankees, extended his hitting streak to nine games with a second-inning double. He went 2-for-3 and is hitting .500 (13-for-26).

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera walked one during a scoreless ninth. He has not allowed a run in six innings this spring.

Notes: New York CF Kenny Lofton was back in

the lineup after missing a couple games with a sore right quadriceps muscle. He went 1-for-3. ... Yankees C Jorge Posada did not play because of a stomach virus. He will also sit out Monday against Philadelphia. ... New York RHP Kevin Brown celebrated his 39th birthday. He is scheduled to pitch Monday. ... Pirates SS Jack Wilson won't play for at least three days because of lingering tightness in his right arm. Wilson missed a week because of soreness in his right shoulder, but the pain has moved to his forearm and biceps. The Pirates have put him on a strengthening program. ... Pittsburgh LHP Joe Beimel has been unable to pitch because of lower back spasms.