That didn’t take long. Before I had left the clubhouse, this e-mail arrived about CC Sabathia:

Giving up 6 runs and leaving with the bases loaded in the 6th inning to a horrible hitting team in Seattle is pretty lame. He’s not a bust (yet) but he doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that he will shut down the opposition, either.

Really?

Sabathia was 6-1, 2.82 in his previous 10 starts. What else would you like him to do, juggle flaming torches and chainsaws between batters?

CC is 7-5 with a 3.85 ERA. The Yankees are 8-9 in the games he has started. But in four of those games they scored four or less runs for him. He got hurt in another.

I’ll still take him on my side seven days a week.

Oh, and the Mariners came to New York having won eight of their previous nine series. The other team does try on occasion.

The Yankees are on a pace to go roughly 94-68 and that’s after all the injuries that limited them in April in May. Factor that in and they’re probably a 96-66, maybe 97-65. That’ll get them to October.

Here is CC Sabathia, explaining his night:

Oh, and Posada is iffy for tomorrow. He did not pinch hit in the seventh inning as he was not sure he could catch because of a bruised left thumb suffered yesterday when he got hit with a foul tip.

Thanks to everybody for reading tonight. Back it tomorrow morning for the day game.

YANKEES (45-32)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Matsui DH
Cabrera CF
Cervelli C

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (7-4, 3.55).

MARINERS (39-38)
Suzuki RF
Branyan 1B
Lopez 2B
Sweeney DH
Gutierrez CF
Johjima C
Langerhans LF
Woodward 3B
Cedeno SS

Pitching: LHP Jason Vargas (3-3, 3.79).

TIME/TV: 7:05, YES.

STATE OF THE ‘STRIPES: The Yankees have won seven straight and are 30-15 in their last 45 games. They trail Boston by 2.5 games in the AL East. The Red Sox are idle today.

BRONX BUMMER: The Yankees have won nine of their last 11 games against Seattle. The Mariners have dropped 10 straight in the Bronx, last winning here in 2007.

RELIEVERS ON A ROLL: Check out these stats (IP, H, R ER BB K):

• Mariano Rivera over nine appearances: 9.1 2 1 1 1 12

• Phil Hughes over eight appearances: 13 5 2 2 3 16

• Alfredo Aceves over nine appearances: 12.1 9 1 1 2 8

• Phil Coke over 15 appearances: 13.1 5 1 1 3 15

CC BACK ON THE HILL: Here’s where pitching depth comes into play. The Yankees won the first two games of the series, maybe the sweep will be tough to get. Instead Seattle has to deal with Carsten Charles. He is 6-1, 2.82 in his last 10 games and has a 2.95 career ERA against the Mariners.

JOE GIRARDI IS A GENIUS, I TELL YOU, A GENIUS: The Yankees have scored 49 runs in the 57 innings since he was ejected in Atlanta on June 24.

THE O IN CANO IS FOR RBIs: Robinson Cano has done 11 games without an RBI. His last one came on June 17.

JOHNNY’S MILESTONE: Damon has 198 homers. He is 10 of his last 24 with seven RBI and five extra-base hits.

THE COMEBACK: The Yankees have a 4.44 ERA, 11th in the American League and getting lower all the time. They are second in the AL in strikeouts with 588. Boston has 589. They are also second in opposing BA at .252. Seattle leads at .250.

HOME COOKING: The Yankees are 23-14 at home.

SCOTT BORAS NEVER MENTIONED THIS: Mark Teixeira has gone 61 ABs without a home run. His last blast came on June 12 off Livan Hernandez.

Back with more later on.

UPDATE, 4:41 p.m.: Yankees confirmed signings of Sanchez, Arrendondo and Cabrera.

UPDATE, 6:04 p.m.: Joe Girardi was asked this afternoon why Cano is hitting fifth given his .213 average with RISP and the fact that he hasn’t had an RBI since June 17. Girardi said it was because he hit “two rockets” against the Mets the other day with runners on base.

At any rate, here is the manager:

Not much else going on. Here is the plan for Jose Molina:

Tonight: 5 innings for Scranton.

Friday: 5 innings for Scranton.

Saturday: Day off.

Sunday: 7 innings for Scranton.

Monday: 7 innings for Scranton.

Tuesday: Join Yankees in Minnesota if he feels good.

Back later with more. If you’re interested in voting for the All-Star Game, you have until midnight. Go to MLB.com.

UPDATE, 6:59 p.m.: Jack Nicholson is sitting right behind home plate wearing a white Yankees hat. When they showed him on the scoreboard, he stood up and waved to the crowd and extended his arms. Gotta love Jack.

UPDATE, 7:05 p.m.: We’re looking at a delay here. The bases are not in and the mound and plate are covered up. The grounds crew is also standing around. We’ll keep you posted.

That they’re playing Billy Joel’s Storm Front Coming also seems like a clue.

UPDATE, 7:07 p.m.: It’s official, game is delayed. Thunderstorms coming.

UPDATE, 7:19 p.m.: This is odd. It hasn’t rained, the tarp never went down and now they’re saying a 7:40 p.m. start. CC is warming up.

Probably some scam to sell more beer.

Meanwhile, the scoreboard keeps showing Disco Stu, who is some old man who dances around wearing sunglasses. Sophisticated entertainment here in the Bronx.

UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: We’re underway after a 36-minute “it might rain” delay.

UPDATE, 7:58 p.m.: Yankees down 2-0. First time they have trailed since June 24.

UPDATE, 8:05 p.m.: 3-0 as CC isn’t fooling anybody to this point. He has already allowed four hits.

UPDATE, 8:14 p.m.: Yankees are in business with runners and second and third with no outs for Swisher. Down 3-0, they can get right back in it.

UPDATE, 8:19 p.m.: There you go, 3-2 on two sac flies. Ichiro lost Matsui’s fly ball and his countryman is on first base.

UPDATE, 8:24 p.m.: Ichiro is hilarious. Cervelli popped to right and the crowd was hooting after his previous error, trying to get him to make another error. After he caught the ball, Ichiro went to flip it to the crowd and instead held onto it.

UPDATE, 8:38 p.m.: Backup catcher Jose Molina was 0 for 2 with an RBI and caught five innings for Triple-A Scranton in his first rehab game. Molina has been out since May 8 with a torn left quad.

UPDATE, 8:57 p.m.: Wait a second, I thought Francisco Cervelli was infallible? How has CC allowed six runs on eight hits in four innings?

Once again, just goes to prove that basing opinions on a handful of games is really quite silly in baseball, along with the idea that catcher’s ERA is a worthwhile stat. The pitcher has to execute the pitch and he has the final say on what pitch is thrown. The idea that Posada had somehow lost the ability to call games was just ridiculous.

At any rate, Yankees trail 6-2.

UPDATE, 9:11 p.m.: Godzilla goes deep and the Yankees trail 6-4. First one for Matsui since June 14. CC needs a quick inning or two to give the sticks a shot.

UPDATE, 9:13 p.m.: Russell Branyan is 1 for 10 in the series with nine strikeouts. He has whiffed seven straight times.

UPDATE, 9:17 p.m.: This can’t be true. Cervelli has one hit in his last 12 at-bats? I thought he had enough energy to light up a small town?

It’s a long, long season folks. I love Cervelli and I think he’ll be a good player down the road. But like Pena, he has developing left to do. He has barely played in AAA. Those who wanted him to be the catcher RIGHT NOW !1!1!!! got a little carried away.

UPDATE, 9:21 p.m.: Teixeira should have handled that ball like The Big G. Just pretend he didn’t see it.

UPDATE, 9:29 p.m.: He walked Branyan? Really? See ya, CC.

UPDATE, 9:51 p.m.: The Yankees are down 6-4 and people are mindlessly doing the wave.

UPDATE, 10:03 p.m.: Let the record show that Jack Nicholson, who is still here, is too cool to do the wave. Good for Jack.

UPDATE, 10:16 p.m.: Aceves is giving them a chance to get back in the game but the Yankees haven’t cashed that so far. What a pickup that guy has been.

UPDATE, 10:22 p.m.: First error in 106 games for Teixeira. Then Branyan goes boom and it’s 8-4. People are fleeing the Stadium. The winning streak appears to be kaput.

Alex has pulled a Hulk Hogan in the last seven games. He was down and out, sprawled on the canvas with the referee about to count to three.

Then, suddenly, he was up and now the American League is about to get thrown around the ring before A-Rod drops the leg on them.

Joe Girardi said tonight that some hitters turn around quickly. But usually not this quickly. Alex was 1 for 27 after his first two at-bats against the Braves on June 24. He was down to .204 on the season and appeared dead in the water.

He is 10 for 21 since with four home runs and 13 RBI along with 10 walks. The Yankees have won seven straight and all is right in his world. He was even cracking jokes to the writers tonight.

Here is his postgame press conference:

Two things are at play here, I think. Obviously those two days off in Miami helped. Plus A-Rod also has cut down on the extensive pre-game work he used to do. He estimated that he takes 75 percent fewer swings than he used to before games. It’s obvious just watching him in the field that he has more energy.

Plus he reached rock bottom. There was really nowhere to go but up and that probably freed his mind a little. Alex is a notorious over-thinker, but at some point you can’t really analyze going 1 for 27. You can just go out and do something about it.

Credit to him, he got up and did do something about it. Now the question is whether the Yankees will have the courage to sit him down sometime soon and whether the fans will know enough not to complain about it.

YANKEES (43-32)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF

Pitching: RHP Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 3.81).

MARINERS (39-36)
Ichiro RF
Branyan 1B
Lopez 2B
Griffey LF
Sweeney DH
Gutierrez CF
Woodward 3B
Johjima C
Cedeno SS

Pitching: RHP Brandon Morrow (0-3, 5.64).

TIME/TV: 7:05, YES.

STATE OF THE ‘STRIPES: The Yankees return home having won five straight and finishing 10-8 in interleague play. They’re 11 games over .500, matching the high-water mark of the season.

PITCHING PROWESS: The Yankees have a 2.50 ERA in their last four games. Over 36 innings they have allowed 30 hits with 15 walks and 46 strikeouts.

FATIGUED NO MORE: Alex Rodriguez in the last seven games: 8 of 23 (.348) with two homers, 11 RBI, five runs scored and nine walks.

MO MOTORS ON: In his lasts seven appearances, Mariano Rivera has allowed one run on two hits over 7.1 innings. He has walked 1 and struck out 11. Just FYI: Mo has a WHIP of 1.01 and Jonathan Papelbon is at 1.35.

WHAT A RELIEF: Phil Hughes has appeared in seven games out of the bullpen. Over 12 innings he has allowed two runs on five hits with three walks and 15 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .122 against him.

CANO’S SLUMP: Robinson Cano is 8 of 37 (.216) with no RBI over his last nine games.

OFF THE MARK: Mark Teixeira has gone 55 at at-bats since his last home run, which came on June 12. He is 12 of 54 (.222) with six RBI over his last 14 games.

MATSUI MISSING: Hideki Matsui is 2 of his last 16 with no RBI over 11 games.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 4:15 p.m.: Hinske’s plane is delayed in Pittsburgh. He may or may not be here. Hence, no roster move.

UPDATE, 4:19 p.m.: Girardi just said that Hughes is a “full-fledged reliever” who can be used in any sutuation.

UPDATE, 5:13 p.m.: Bad weather rolling in.

UPDATE, 5;58 p.m.: Raining here in the Bronx but they’re hopeful it’ll move past. … A few notes for you:

• Cashman and Girardi both said that Phil Hughes is still considered a starter moving forward. But for now he’s needed in the bullpen. “It’s a balance and the main requirement is winning as many games as it takes to make the playoffs,” Cashman said.

Hughes said he would feel differently if he were 26 and not 23. But he pointed out, quite correctly, that he has proven he can get AAA hitters out. He thinks he’s better off here learning how to get big-league hitters out in high leverage situations. “Then when the times comes, I’ll start,” he said. “If I get 100 good innings this year, I’ll be fine,” he said.

• Nick Swisher was in the hospital for a few hours today with a left ear infection but says he’s OK.

• The Hinske move was directly related to Nady going down. Pena will be optioned out once Hinske arrives (which may not be tonight) and he worked as a super-sub type. They want to see if he can play the OF.

I’m sure this move will be over-analyzed, as always. To me, he’s a better offensive threat than Pena off the bench and Pena had played very sparingly in recent weeks. If it doesn’t work out, try somebody else. It’s a low-cost move.

• Brian Bruney shaved his mustache. He wanted to lose it a few days ago because he hasn’t been pitching as well as he wants. But he had a bet with Phil Hughes that he would keep it until the All-Star break and didn’t want to give in.

But Hughes, being a magnanimous guy, cut a deal with Bruney. So Bruney shaved it off 15 minutes ago and Hughes will soon get a black Bose Sound Dock for his iPod. No fool is Hughes.

• Tony Romo (and an entourage of dozens) watched batting practice. To his credit, he was with a sick child.

UPDATE, 6:09 p.m.: Here is Brian Cashman on the field before BP talking about the trade and Phil Hughes. The sound quality isn’t so good because it was windy. Did the best I could:

It’s raining steadily here. We’ll keep you posted on the game.

UPDATE, 6:15 p.m.: This from the Yankees:

The Yanks will make every attempt to play tonight’s game vs. the Mariners. Weather updates will be posted as they become available.

Meanwhile, guess who is throwing out the first pitch? Mariano Rivera. Pretty cool.

UPDATE, 6:47 p.m.: We’re not starting on time, that much I can tell you. It’s raining and the tarp is down. As always, we’ll keep you posted.

UPDATE, 6:53 p.m.: Yankees projecting a 7:45 p.m. first pitch.

UPDATE, 7:27 p.m.: Rain has stopped, about to pull the tarp.

UPDATE, 7:31 p.m.: 8:05 first pitch now.

UPDATE, 8:05 p.m.: That was great, Mo threw out the first pitch and Jorge came out from behind the plate like he was an old man. Funny stuff. Cool idea whoever came up with it.

We’re about to get underway.

UPDATE, 8:23 p.m.: Do Johnny Damon’s bats come pre-broken? Seems that way.

UPDATE, 8:31 p.m.: Hinske is not here, apparently. Or not on the lineup card at least.

According to assorted excited e-mailers, Jesus Montero has homered twice for Trenton tonight in support of Jeremy Bleich.

UPDATE, 9:10 p.m.: Somebody just threw back a ground-rule double. Enough is enough. Eject that dope.

UPDATE, 9:25 p.m.: Brutal at-bat for Swisher with the bases loaded and no outs. They should have sent a jet for Hinske.

UPDATE, 9:31 p.m.: Yankees up 3-1 and it feels like it they’ve been sleeping. It could be 6-1.

UPDATE, 9:42 p.m.: This has nothing whatsoever to do with who is catching. Joba, for whatever reason, refuses to challenge hitters at certain points of the game. He has such good stuff and he nibbles like a he’s a washed-up vet trying to hang on.

UDPATE, 9:58 p.m.: Cano leads off two innings and gets hits. Then he comes to the plate with two on and whiffs.

UPDATE, 10:12 p.m.: Yankees 0 for 9 with RISP and have left seven on base, four in scoring position.

Meanwhile, Joba works his usual 5.1 innings. He has made 15 starts and failed to get beyond the sixth inning 12 times. One was because of injury. But, as always, he has the team in the game. The Yankees are 9-5 when he starts.

UPDATE, 10:27 p.m.: Hughes in with a 3-3 score. Big spot for him. Lots of pre-game talk about how well he has taken to this role.

UPDATE, 10:33 p.m.: Isn’t that how Mo started? 13 innings, 2 runs, 16 Ks. Filthy. He fanned Junior with 96-mph cheese.

UPDATE, 10:41 p.m.: Hey, it’s a hit with RISP. Better yet, it’s a two-run bomb by A-Rod. Yankees lead 5-3.

I’d leave Hughes in, but they won’t.

UPDATE, 10:46 p.m.: That’s 13 RBI in eight games for Alex. Pretty amazing that he has 39 RBI already.

Bruney in. I’m saying in advance I don’t like this. Hughes was lights out, leave him in.

UPDATE, 10:53 p.m.: Like I said.

UPDATE, 10:56 p.m.: Here is what I don’t get: If you’re going to pitch Hughes in relief, then pitch him in relief. Let him pitch two innings, it builds up his innings and serves the purpose of winning games. Everybody wins.

He threw nine pitches in the seventh. Leave. Him. In.

UPDATE, 11:00 p.m.: New game. Girardi managed them right out of a win there, at least for now.

UPDATE, 11:09 p.m.: Winning pitcher—Brian Bruney (3-0). Makes a lot of sense, right?

As bad as Bruney was, Sean White is even worse. Holy cow. Clutchy Cabrera does it again.

YANKEES (42-32)
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Cabrera LF
Gardner CF
Wang RHP

Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-6, 11.20).

METS (37-36)
Murphy 1B
Cora SS
Wright 3B
Sheffield RF
Tatis LF
F. Martinez CF
Schneider C
Castillo 2B
Hernandez RHP

Pitching: RHP Livan Hernandez (5-2, 4.05).

TIME/TV: 8:05 p.m., ESPN.

LAST STOP ON THE SUBWAY: The Yankees are 4-1 against the Mets this season, having outscored their city rivals 40-15. The Yankees have outscored the Mets 29-1 in the last three games.

BACK ON A ROLL: The Yankees have won four straight. They have hit .306 with 33 runs and 17 extra-base hots in that stretch while pitching to a 2.00 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 36 innings.

BACK-TO-BACK DOMINANCE: Led by CC Sabathia and A.J Burnett, the Yankees have held the Mets to one run on four hits over the last two games with three walks and 19 strikeouts.

CHANCE TO GAIN GROUND: The Braves and the apparently great Tommy Hanson are about to beat the Red Sox. Yankees can get to within three games of first with a win. Toronto also lost, so the Yankees can move a game against of those plucky Jays.

YOU, ME AND NEARLY .233: A-Rod is 7 of 22 with 11 RBI in his last six games with two home runs. His batting average is up to .227.

TRYING IT WANG MORE TIME: Chien-MIng Wang has not won since last June 15. He has a 5.68 ERA since coming off the disabled list. The Yankees have scored only seven runs in his last three starts. Wang is 1-1, 4.90 in two career starts against the Mets.

LIVAN IT UP: Livan Hernandez is 0-3, 6.94 in six career starts against the Yankees. He allowed six runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings at Yankee Stadium on June 12. Jeter, Teixeira and Cano homered. Career numbers against Hernandez: A-Rod 11-19. 3 HR, Jeter 8-19, Posada 4-12, Swisher 5-14, Cano 4-9, HR Teixeira 3-6, 2 HR.

NOT MUCH MATSUI: Hideki Matsui has seven plate appearances in the eight interleague road games, going 1 for 5 with two walks. He is 2-15 in his last 10 games with no RBI.

MO”S MILESTONE: Mariano Rivera needs one save for 500.

BRUNEY UPDATE: Brian Bruney has appeared in four games since coming off the DL. His line: 3 1 1 1 2 2. The Yankees are 13-1 in the 14 games Bruney has appeared.

Beautiful day at the ballpark. Too bad the game doesn’t start until 8 p.m. Back with more later.

UPDATE, 5:14 p.m.: Jeter pronounced himself healthy. “Good to go,” he said.

UPDATE, 6:12 p.m.: Ryan Church scratched, Fernando Tatis in.

UPDATE, 6:16 p.m.: Damon is still sick. Phil Hughes told me he felt fine and could pitch.

Meanwhile, here is Joe Girardi’s pre-game interview session:

And, just for kicks, here is Hideki Matsui. The questions and answers are translated by Roger Kahlon. Hideki speaks decent English but in a group interview, which this was, he likes to use the translator.

UPDATE, 6:23 p.m.: Jose Molina said he as “close to 100 percent as I can get.” He will run again on Tuesday and hopes to start a rehab assignment after that.

UPDATE, 6:35 p.m.: Joba is a smart kid. He just went over to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight set on the field and shook hands with John Kruk, Peter Gammons, Jon Miller and Dave Winfield.

UPDATE, 6:43 p.m.: Derek Jeter hit .321 in 34 games at Shea Stadium. Does he miss the old place?

“I do not,” he said. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful, I just didn’t like that stadium. The field conditions weren’t good. Hitting in that stadium was a lot different than playing defense in that stadium. You liked the atmosphere but the field conditions, and even the clubhouse conditions weren’t good.”

UPDATE, 6:59 p.m.: Jesus Montero just hit his first homer for Trenton. He connected against Reading’s Mike Stutes at Waterfront Park. Ball went out to center.

UPDATE, 8:06 p.m.: Wow, the Mets have a live person sing the National Anthem before the game instead of using a recording. What a concept. I had no idea such a thing was allowed.

UPDATE, 8:09 p.m.: Change for the Mets. Tatis in left and Sheff in right.

UPDATE, 8:10 p.m.: We’re underway as the Captain returns. It’s a nice 69 degrees in Queens. Enjoy the game, everybody.

UPDATE, 8:11 p.m.: Derek back in style with a double. That ball is 10 rows deep in the Bronx. Be nice if they could stake CMW to an edge.

UPDATE, 8:17 p.m.: The beat(ing) goes on for the Yankees as Tex slams a two-run double into left field. Still no outs.

UPDATE, 8:25 p.m.: Tex is not particularly fast but he is a heck of a base-runner. 3-0 Yankees. It’s on a silver platter for Wang.

UPDATE, 8:38 p.m.: Not a very pretty inning but Wang will take it. Yankees lead 3-0 and they have outscored the Mets 32-1 over the last 28 innings.

UPDATE, 8:45 p.m.: Here’s how bad the season is going for the Wanger: He just got robbed of his first career hit by Fernando Martinez.

You know what? The Yankee pitchers have handled the bat pretty well in these nine games.

UPDATE, 8:50 p.m.: A-Rod more mobile and agile at third base lately.

Man, I sound like Clyde Frazier.

UPDATE, 9:09 p.m.: Derek Jeter … to his left? Yes, his left. Wang bailed out with the pretty 6-4-3.

Meanwhile, the Mets just gave out these cool trucker caps. I’m defecting back to Queens. The Yankees only give us water bottles and cheesy stuff.

(Photo credit: Sam “Annie Leibovitz” Borden)

UPDATE, 9:14 p.m.: I’m not overly impressed with Wang so far as he’s having trouble throwing strikes. But a 3-0 lead and a one-hit shutout through three innings can’t be argued with.

UPDATE, 9:29 p.m.: Mets just snapped a streak of 16 straight innings without scoring. Wang scuffling again. Either can’t or won’t throw strikes.

UPDATE, 9:31 p.m.: Why not walk Castillo to get to Hernandez? Isn’t that what you do in this league?

UPDATE, 9:34 p.m.: The press box at Citi Field (which is poorly designed by the way) is right above a walkway, so you can see fans going back and forth.

Here’s a question I have for you Yankees fans. Why buy a white home jersey with “Jeter” or “Posada” or whatever on the back? Isn’t the cool thing about the Yankees that they don’t have the names on the back? I don’t get it.

UPDATE, 9:40 p.m.: Poor bunt by Wang. But why not have GGBG steal second first then bunt him to third? I thought Girardi was Mr. National League?

He’s at 67 pitches through four. Be interesting to see how much rope he has. Girardi has a very rested bullpen (4 innings the last two days) and a day off tomorrow.

UPDATE, 9:48 p.m.: That is just the kind of inning the Wanger needed. A-Rod with another nifty play. Seems that rest helped, hope the Yankees remember that.

10 ground-ball outs in five innings for CMW and three K’s. He’s two innings away from this being a real solid outing.

UPDATE, 9:56 p.m.: Its unclear how the Yankees have only three hits off Livan Hernandez. They probably need to do something about that.

Say this for the big fella, he’s creative.

Bad spot here for him as A-Rod owns him. Best to walk him.

UPDATE, 9:59 p.m.: Yes, walking him. Now will Cano go 4-6-3 or 6-4-3? Nah, big hit time.

UPDATE, 10:01 p.m.: 6-3 DP and on a 2-0 count. Just brutal. Might be time to get him out of the 6 hole.

UPDATE, 10:07 p.m.: Girardi with the quick hook, which is the smart play.

Now Wang has to sweat out the final 11 outs to see if he gets a win. He can win, he cannot lose. His ERA is down to 10.06 at the moment. Down to 10.06? Yikes.

UPDATE, 10:12 p.m.: I just realized the Mets had their No. 5 hitter bunt in the sixth inning down a run. Wow, is that desperate.

Girardi using his bullpen a bunch, double-switching Coke out of the game and bringing in Phil Hughes to face the right-handed pinch hitter Omir Santos.

Hughes in the middle of an inning. Interesting.

UPDATE, 10:16 p.m.: Look at that Joe Girardi messing with Jerry Manuel. One pitch, one out for the Franchise.

If you’re scoring at home — and good for you — Hughes in the second spot and Damon hitting ninth. I want to see Hughes hit. He claims he’s the best hitting pitcher on the team not named CC Sabathia.

UPDATE, 10:32 p.m.: A-Rod having a nice night with the glove. Nice pickup by Jeter, too. Big out for Hughes.

UPDATE, 10:53 p.m.: Six outs to get for the Yankees. They could sure use A-Rod to give them a little more cushion to work with as he bats with two on and two outs in the eighth.

UPDATE, 10:54 p.m.: Another big spot for Cano.

UPDATE, 10:59 p.m.: Another bad job by Cano. If he’s hitting fifth on Tuesday, somebody’s not paying attention. Now it’s up to Bruney.

UPDATE, 11:05 p.m.: Brian Cashman is probably calling the Rockies now. Huston Street! Whatever it takes!

Here’s the issue with Bruney, two actually: You have to worry about his elbow and he goes into these “I refuse to throw a strike” phases in big spots. But he usually squirms out of the mess.

UPDATE, 11:07 p.m.: No messing around, right to Mo.

His last six appearances: 6 1 1 1 1 9. This would be No. 500 if he can get four outs.

UPDATE, 11:14 p.m.: Swing the bat, Omir. Man, is Mo clutch.

How do you figure Wang is doing right now? He might change little Justin’s name to Mo.

Mo Wang. Now that’s a name.

UPDATE, 11:20 p.m.: Kind of disgraceful that the Yankees have four hits, no? 1 for 6 with RISP. Teams have combined for 14 walks. Yeesh.

Brett Gardner 0 for his last 7 as he comes to the plate. That train to Cooperstown slid off the tracks the last two days.

UPDATE, 11:29 p.m.: The scoreboards here are twice as good as they are at the Stadium. Both lineups are up at all times, the pitch count with strikes is up at all times, the count is easy to find, there are scoreboards that show the scores from the minor-league affiliates and a full, complete dedicated out of town scoreboard.

UPDATE, 11:31 p.m.: How is this complicated? Walk Jeter and get to the guy who has had two at-bats in his life.

UPDATE, 11:33 p.m.: Again, not as complicated as the Mets made it. … Mo has one at-bat in his career before this year and two this week.

UPDATE, 11:37 p.m.: Mo drove in a run. I never thought I would see that. Too much. He must be thrilled.

The Mets are a disaster.

UPDATE, 11:40 p.m.: So you walk Mo with the bases loaded and strike out Mark Teixeira. Yeah, that makes sense.

Here is A.J. Burnett talking about his performance tonight:

A few stats and such from tonight:

• Phil Hughes is the latest victim of the Yankee Flu.

• Nick Swisher on Burnett: “He was absolutely tremendous. That just goes to show how electrifying he can be. Topping out at 95- 96-miles per hour; a slider that you can’t even see, let alone hit. He was on point tonight. I know he needed that.”

That “slider” is really a curveball. That’s how tight it is.

• Alex Cora was 0 for 21 against Burnett before the hit (“I was due, man,” Cora said. “I’ve been saying that the last five years) and hitless in his previous 21 at-bats this season. Inexplicably, he was hitting leadoff.

• The Yankees have won the season series against the Mets for the first time since 2003.

• The Yankees have held the Mets to one run on 10 hits in the last three games against the kings of Queens.

• The Yankees have scored 33 runs in the last four games and collected 17 extra-base hits.

• The Mets have gone down in order 14 times in 18 innings in the series.

• A-Rod has 11 RBI in the last six games.

Thanks to everybody for reading tonight. Back at it tomorrow.

Shameless plug: I think I’m going to be on WFAN shortly.

YANKEES (40-32)
Gardner
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Cabrera RF
Cervelli C
Pena SS
Sabathia LHP

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (6-4, 3.71).

METS (37-34)
Castillo 2B
Cora SS
Wright 3B
Sheffield RF
Tatis LF
Church CF
Evans 1B
Santos C
Pelfrey RHP

Pitching: RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-2, 4.74).

TIME/TV: 7:10 p.m., MY9, SNY.

THEY MEET AGAIN: It’s Subway Series, Round Two as the Yankees and Mets meet again. The Yankees won two of three games played in the Bronx from June 12-14. They won 9-8 on Luis Castillo’s dropped pop-up with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Then the Mets won 6-2 before the Yankees hammered Johan Santana en route to a 15-0 victory.

STATE OF THE ‘STRIPES: The Yankees were 3-3 on their journey to Miami and Atlanta, winning their last two games. They have lost five of eight overall.

INTERLEAGUE ISSUES: The Yankees are 7-8 against the National League this season.

MILESTONE MO: Mariano Rivera has 499 saves. Only Trevor Hoffman (571) has more. Mariano has been nearly perfect lately. His last six outings: 6 innings, 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, nine strikeouts.

HOT LATELY: Johnny Damon is 6 of his last 9 with three runs scored and five RBI. … Alex Rodriguez is 5 of his last 15 with three runs scored and five RBI. … Brett Gardner is 19 of 56 (.339) over his last 26 games with a .422 OBP. The idea that Gardner would get overmatched by big-league pitching is being proven incorrect. He has struck out seven times in his last 56 at-bats and only three rimes in his last 39.

OFFENSE ARISES: The Yankees in the last two games are 26 of 79 (.329) with 19 runs scored, 13 walks and seven extra-base hits.

STREAKING ON: His streak started in April before he went on the disabled list for 60 days. But nevertheless, Cody Ransom has hit in seven straight at 8 of 25 with five extra-base hits and six RBI.

CANO CRUMBLING A BIT: Robinson Cano is 2 for his last 15. Perhaps it’s his sore left wrist.

NICE TO CC YOU AGAIN: Sabathia faced the Mets once in his career, beating the on June 16, 2004 at Shea Stadium. He allowed one run on six hits over eight innings for Cleveland. Gary Sheffield is 5 of 18 with a homer against CC and Castllo 4 of 16.

PELFREY POUNDED: Pelfrey is 1-1 with a 7.08 in four June starts, having allowed 16 earned runs on 28 hits and eight walks over 20.1 innings. He has faced the Yankees once in his career, getting the win in a 15-6 game on June 27, 2008. Pelfrey, however, allowed four run on eight hits and four walks over five innings.

HE’S THE ACE: Alfredo Aceves, the anti-Kei Igawa, is 6-1, 2.27 in 24 games for the games since arriving from Mexico. He has allowed only 52 hits over 63.1 innings. Aceves has walked 17 and whiffed 44.

Back with much more later.

UPDATE, 4;54 p.m.: No test on Nady today, but he is heading back to see Dr. Yocum in California. It sounds bad.

UPDATE, 6:06 p.m.: Storm rolling in here and they’re about to put the tarp down.

UPDATE, 6:21 p.m.: The Mets have asked fans to take refuge on the concourses because “severe weather” is anticipated.

UPDATE, 6:23 p.m.: Jeter was just scratched because of illness. It’s going through the team. Matsui and Cabrera are just getting over it.

UPDATE, 6:28 p.m.: It’s not just raining. Waves of rain are hitting the stadium like a high pressure hosed was turned on and there are high winds. There are six carts parked on the tarp to keep it from blowing away.

Obviously we will not be starting on time tonight.

UPDATE, 6:30 p.m.: Here is Joe Girardi’s pre-game press conference:

UPDATE, 6:39 p.m.: Just to clarify the Xavier Nady situation, he’s done for the season. He has told teammates that he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and will need surgery. Given that Tommy John surgery requires a year to recover from, X’s 2010 season is in danger as well.

As was reported first here back in April, Nady was told that the ligament was torn and would need surgery. But he gambled that the platelet injection procedure would work and lost. It was probably a long shot from the start given that he had first had Tommy John surgery in 2001 when he was in the minors.

Nady, unfortunately for him, is a free agent after this season.

UPDATE, 6:52 p.m.: It’s still raining but it’s not the “round up two of everything” rain we had before. The wind also has died down.

UPDATE, 7:24 p.m.: No start time announced, but we’re going to see some baseball. Rain has stopped and they’re preparing to take the tarp off.

UPDATE, 7:29 p.m.: First pitch at 8.

UPDATE, 7:55 p.m.: I just wrote the Yankees lineup in my scorebook. Sabathia might be the sixth-best power hitter in the order. He has three jacks and a .667 OPS.

UPDATE, 8:02 p.m.: We’re underway in Queens after a 52-minute rain delay. GGBG gets it started with a single. See you on second in a second.

UPDATE, 8:25 p.m.: Who needs Jeter? Ramiro Pena with an RBI double.

UPDATE, 8:26 p.m.: The Big Man delivers an RBI single. CC is loving life right now. He was dying to hit and today was his only chance.

UPDATE, 8:27 p.m.: The Bombers are getting to Mike Pelfrey. Five hits already. None particularly rocked, but they all count.

UPDATE, 8:31 p.m.: It’s the New York Mets in Breaking Training.

Holy cow, three errors in this inning. 4-0 Yankees and the rout is on.

UPDATE, 8:48 p.m.: If I didn’t think the Yankees would be careful with CC and take him out at a judicious time, I’d predict a no-hitter. This lineup is Wright, Sheff and and assorted bums.

UPDATE, 8:52 p.m.: Bet Derek feels better tomorrow.

UPDATE, 9:16 p.m.: So it seems like CC’s arm is OK.

UPDATE, 9:27 p.m.: So much for the no-hitter, the perfect game and the shutout. Now just win the game. That’ll do.

Man, old Sheff can still swing it.

UPDATE, 9:49 p.m.: Gritty, gutty and 3 for 4. Brett Gardner now hitting .293. And he just stole another base, 17 on the season. Most among rookies.

UPDATE, 9:54 p.m.: Delay here to fix up the mound for CC.

UPDATE, 10:16 p.m.: Think people will applaud sarcastically ever time Castillo catches a pop-up for the rest of his career? … Wasted opportunity there for the Yankees. Cervelli is 0 for 4? I thought he had to play every day because he was so much better than Posada?

UPDATE, 10:23 p.m.: Sabathia has been perfect in every inning but the fifth. He has retired the side in order in the other six innings. Terrific performance. Be interesting to see if Girardi pushes him one more inning.

UPDATE, 10:25 p.m.: CC hit, so he’s staying in. Joe Girardi is no doctor, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express in Queens. Hey, if your job was on the line, you’d keep him in, too.

UPDATE, 10:27 p.m.: Gritty! Gutty! 4 for 5 with a homer and two runs scored. Brett Gardner proving the doubters wrong.

Yankees 5-1.

UPDATE, 10:29 p.m.: Sam Borden called it as he sat next to me. Of course, that one was easy to call. Elmer Dessens? Yankees up by four runs? Ka-boom!

UPDATE, 10:34 p.m.: Here’s a question, do you leave CC in for another inning up 7-1?

UPDATE, 10:39 p.m.: That’s it for CC. Makes sense. Even Brett Tomko can be trusted with a 7-1 lead.

UPDATE, 10:52 p.m.: Brett Gardner again. RBI triple makes it 8-1. He is 24 of his last 62 (.387). … Yankees have 28 runs in their last three games. Joe Girardi is a genius. The ejection works again.

Kate Hudson in the house, I’m told. She might leave with Brett Gardner if Alex isn’t careful.

YANKEES (37-28)
New lineup
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Posada C
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Berroa 3B
Pettitte LHP

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (6-3, 4.52).

MARLINS (33-35)
Coghlan LF
Helms 3B
Ramirez SS
Cantu 1B
Uggla 2B
Paulino C
Hermida RF
Ross CF
West LHP

Pitching: LHP Sean West (2-1, 3.00).

TIME/TV: 7:10 p.m., YES.

HERE WE GO AGAIN: The Yankees are facing a losing team with a 23-year-old rookie starter they have never seen before. Obviously they have no chance whatsoever.

INTERLEAGUE ISSUES: The Yankees are 4-5 against the National League this season and 14-13 over the last two years. They are 24-21 over the last three years and 34-29 over the last four years.

SLUMPING: The Yankees have lost two straight and five of their last eight.

HOMECOMING: Outside of two exhibition games in 2008, Miami native Alex Rodriguez has not played at whatever they call the stadium the Marlins play in these days. Maybe that will help him get a few hits. Here is the breakdown of his slump:

• 8 of 55 (.145) in June.

• Last 10 games: 3 for 34 (.088) with a .262 OBP.

• 2 for 21 on the last homestand.

• Four extra-base hits in his last 19 games, a span of 66 at-bats.

• His season average is down to .212. But he does have a .370 OBP thanks to 29 walks in 38 games. But at what point will teams stop walking him?

PITCHING PROGRESS: Last four games: 35 innings, 27 hits, 9 earned runs, 14 walks, 34 strikeouts.

BULLISH ON THE BULLPEN: Last five games for the relievers: 14.1 innings, 9 hits, 1 earned run, 3 walks, 16 strikeouts.

SWISH STOPS SKID: Nick Swisher’s two hits last came after an 0-for-18 streak.

OFFENSIVE WOES: The Yankees scored seven runs in the last three games, two in the last two.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 3:32 p.m.: This being South Florida, rain is coming and they’re putting the tarp down. But it always rains here in the late afternoon then it clears out.

UPDATE, 4:01 p.m.: Talked to Brett Gardner. He’s still woozy and has a headache.

UPDATE, 4:39 p.m.: BREAKING NEWS: A-Rod out of the lineup. Will sit the next two days. More to come.

UPDATE, 4:54 p.m.: Alex was in the lineup. Then it was decided he was “fatigued” and needed two days off. Girardi admitted he should have given him time off before this.

UPDATE, 5:25 p.m.: Berroa at third.

UPDATE, 5:37 p.m.: Angel Berroa? I have no idea why. … Meanwhile, Alex told us that he went to see Girardi after the game last night and asked for time off. But he was in the lineup today. Then, after a conversation that included Brian Cashman, not only was he out of the lineup today, he’s out tomorrow as well.

A-Rod has been told to do nothing. But he will be available to pinch hit.

Alex spoke to the media for longer than he has all season after going over what he was going to say with the media relations director. He said the original plan was to take a day off once a week when he returned but that he asked to stay in the lineup. A-Rod also talked about missing spring training. “That’s a holy time for me,” he said.

“You can’t forget I was on crutches two months ago,” he said. That isn’t exactly true. He started workouts in Tampa on April 14 and took batting practice that day. He was on crutches three months ago.

The general idea, it seems, is that the Yankees hope the time off will renew Alex’s energy and improve his swing. Hitting coach Kevin Long said that of Alex’s last 70 swings, 50 were “reaches.” That compact swing he has when he’s going well is missing.

UPDATE, 6:04 p.m.: Here is Alex’s pre-game session with reporters:

UPDATE, 7:17 p.m.: We’re underway in Miami. 1-0 Yankees already, much to the delight of the crowd. Mostly Yankees fans here.

UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: The well-rested Angel Berroa just ripped a double to the gap in left. Seems like Joe Girardi is a genius. This is a big night for Berroa. All his friends from Del Boca Vista (Phase II) are at the game.

UPDATE, 7:34 p.m.: And Pettitte with an RBI double as well. That’s what the Yankee offense needed, Berroa and a pitcher at the bottom of the order. Or course.

UPDATE, 7:40 p.m.: Sean West didn’t get the secret plans for rookie pitchers on how to beat the Yankees apparently. Now it’s 4-0 and they have eight hits.

UPDATE, 8:05 p.m.: Big (relatively speaking for this market) crowd here and they all seem to be Yankees fans. That has to be a weird feeling for the Marlins.

UPDATE, 8:30 p.m.: Andy putting together a nice outing. Meanwhile Sean West has fanned seven including six of the last nine batters he has faced.

Yankees lead 6-1.

UPDATE, 8:41 p.m.: Intentionally walking Melky to get to Berroa? The nerve of those Marlins.

UPDATE, 8:43 p.m.: Oh, that NL strategy. Berroa pops up and now Pettitte is up. It’s such a different game.

UPDATE, 9:15 p.m.: Aceves warming up. Pettitte has allowed three hits over six innings and still appears strong, however.

UPDATE, 9:30 p.m.: That’ll probably be it for Pettitte. 7 innings, 1 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 7 strikeouts.

UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.: Every Yankees starter has at least one hit. … Update on Xavier Nady: He played four innings in right field and went 2 for 3 with a walk during a minor-league exhibition game across the state in Clearwater. He reported no problems. This was his first action in the outfield since he hurt his elbow.

YANKEES (36-27)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (5-4, 3.68).

NATIONALS (16-45)
Guzman DH
Johnson 1B
Zimmerman 3B
Dukes CF
Dunn LF
Kearns RF
Gonzalez SS
Nieves C
Hernandez 2B

Pitching: RHP Shairon Martis (5-1, 5.04).

TIME/TV: 7:05 p.m., MY9.

STATE OF THE ‘STRIPES: The Yankees are two games out of first place in the AL East. They are 21-10 in their last 31 but 7-7 in the last 14 and only 2-4 in the last six.

NATIONAL DISASTER: Washington has lost three straight and 12 of 15. They are 6-23 on the road.

OLD FRIENDS: The Washington roster includes former Yankees Nick Johnson, Alberto “The Attorney General” Gonzalez, Ron Villone and Will Nieves. Villone is having a nice year for them. He has a 0.96 ERA in 22 appearances. He has allowed 13 hits in 18.2 innings with 10 walks and nine strikeouts.

HOME COOKING: The Yankees have won 14 of their last 19 at home.

INTERLEAGUE WOES: The Yankees were 93-63 in interleague games over the first eight years. They are 33-27 since. The Red Sox have taken advantage of the inferior competition during that stretch, going 42-18. The Yankees have the Nationals, Marlins, Braves and Mets ahead.

CAPTAIN INTERLEAGUE: Derek Jeter has has the most hits (293), at-bats (862) and runs scored (162) in interleague play. He also has hit .339 against the NL.

SWISHALICIOUS AGAIN: Nick Swisher is 15 of his last 46 (.326) over 16 games with 11 runs scored, eight RBI, 14 walks and eight extra-base hits.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: The Yankees were 32-31 after 63 games last season. They were 32-31 in 2007, too.

JETER ON A ROLL: He is 9 of his last 18 with four RBI and four runs scored. His batting average is up to .310.

GODZILLA ON A ROLL, TOO: Hideki Matsui is 6 of his last 16 with two home runs, five RBI, five walks and five runs scored.

A-ROD IN A-SLUMP: A-Rod is 8 of 45 in June so far. After going .260/.412/.584 in his first 22 games, he is at .178/.339/.356 in his last nine.

ERA OF ERRORS: The Yankees have committed at least one error in 10 of the last 12 games.

Back with more later.

UPDATE, 3:52 p.m.: RHP Jose Veras DFA’d to make room for Brian Bruney on the roster.

UPDATE, 4:41 p.m.: Sorry about the lineup mistake. The iPhone tends to auto-correct sometimes. Swisher is playing RF.

UPDATE, 4:42 p.m.: Chien-Ming Wang was already at the park and did his throwing and running. He’ll was given the rest of the day off to see the baby, attend to his wife and rest up for the start tomorrow. It’s open-ended as to what happens tomorrow if he doesn’t pitch well. Girardi said it’s not a final chance but, realistically, it probably is.

A few other items:

• Bruney could be used in the 8th inning right away but they would prefer he settle in a little first, He also won’t go back-to-back days quite yet.

• Hideki Matsui will not start any games in the OF in the National League parks where there is no DH. They’re worried about his knees blowing up. If necessary, Girardi is willing to use him in the OF on a double-switch.

• Veras was the roster move because he is struggling so much. Have to say, I’m a little surprised because he was a guy they were proud about finding. But when the time comes, the time comes.

• Don’t expect Xavier Nady during the next road trip. He’s still not throwing adequately.

UPDATE, 4:48 p.m.: The Yankees took a round of early BP today before their regular BP. Almost everybody participated.

Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez was in Monument Park for about 15 minutes to meet fans. There were a lot of photos taken including. Nice of Alex to take the time. The Yankees are doing these meet-and-greets once a homestand with different players. The team discourages autographs, it’s more photos and handshakes.

UPDATE, 5:09 p.m.: Here is Joe Girardi’s pre-game interview. Lots of questions about Wang, Bruney, Matsui and other subjects:

UPDATE, 5:21 p.m.: The New York Times is reporting that Sammy Sosa tested positive for PEDs in 2003.

Not exactly stunning news there. At this point, it’s sort of expected.

UPDATE, 5:24 p.m.: First-round draft pick Slade Heathcott is in the house and watching BP.

UPDATE, 6:08 p.m.: Here’s a photo of Slade Heathcott and here is some audio of his first encounter with the New York media:

Slade arrived today with area scout Mark Batchko. He’s headed back to Texas later this week for a ceremony honoring his high school team for winning the state title.

Slade seemed like a nice kid. At the moment, he’s about as big as Ramiro Pena. But he’ll get stronger, he has that sort of frame He took several rounds of BP and showed some good pop, driving the ball hard to right field.

He said all the right things to the media on the field. I spoke to him later in the clubhouse and it sure sounds like he wants to sign and get going with his career. The Yankees are smart, they got him in a uniform and on the field within a week after the draft. Good way to make an impression.

Slade was looking around the clubhouse with wide eyes. He had the locker next to Mariano Rivera. “This is really amazing,” he said. “I feel like the luckiest kid in the country right now.”

UPDATE, 7:14 p.m.: We’re underway as CC has a quick inning. A little chilly at the park tonight (63 at first pitch). I have some newspaper work to do, but I’ll check in later on.

UPDATE, 8:33 p.m.: Well, it’s 3-2 Nats here in the fifth inning as Anderson Hernandez just hit his first homer of the year, a three-run blast to left off CC Sabathia. He earlier had a long double off CC.

This team can hit. The Yankees better go to work on their pitching. They’ve managed only three hits so far.

UPDATE, 8:37 p.m.: Anderson had one previous homer (in 2006) in 325 big-league at-bats.

UPDATE, 8:47 p.m.: Same stuff as usual for the offense, at least lately. Yankees are 1 for 7 with RISP. They have four hits and been walked five times and have two runs in five innings. The June swoon (8 for 47, .170) continues for A-Rod.

Would they be better with Tex hitting clean-up at this point?

UPDATE, 8:52 p.m.: Nice running catch by the Melkman.

UPDATE, 9:07 p.m.: Um, Yankees? Yeah, you might want to score a few runs. You’re about to be embarrassed in your own park.

Meanwhile, they can’t hit Fernando Nieve. They crush Johan Santana and then they can’t hit Shairon Martis? That makes sense.

UPDATE, 9:11 p.m.: That was fast. Tough break for Martis, who lost his win in about seven seconds.

They need to get this done now. Time for Alex to get it going.

UPDATE, 9:13 p.m.: He whiffs as the crowd boos. Bad stretch for Alex.

UPDATE, 9:18 p.m.: Robbie Cano (4 for 4) gets it done. Yankees lead 4-3. CC another inning and then Mo?

Pena in for Jeter. No word on what the injury is as of yet.

UPDATE, 9:27 p.m.: So much for Bruney being allowed to get his feet wet. This is a huge spot in the game for him. Zimmerman is a tough hitter.

UPDATE, 9:35 p.m.: Jeter has what is being called “left ankle stiffness.”

UPDATE, 9:46 p.m.: Derek Jeter, who needs him? Ramiro Pena’s RBI single makes it 5-3. Big run there. If this score holds up, CC will be 5-1, 2.92 in his last eight starts.

This also would be the 22nd come-from-behind win of the season

UPDATE, 10:05 p.m.: Yankees win, embarrassment avoided. Nice game by Robbie Cano. 4 for 4, thre RBI and a bunch of sweet plays in the field.

Back with reaction later,

YANKEES (35-27)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Matsui DH
Cabrera CF
Cervelli C

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (4-3, 4.89).

METS (32-28)
Cora SS
Martinez LF
Beltran CF
Wright 3B
Church RF
Sheffield DH
Murphy 1B
Schneider C
Castillo 2b

Pitching: LHP Johan Santana (8-3, 2.39).

TIME/TV: 1:05 p.m., YES, WPIX, TBS.

SUBWAY STATS: The teams meet again at Citi Field June 26-28. … The Mets have won six of the last nine meetings between the teams. … The Yankees are 2-3 in interleague games this season.

WHERE’S HANK WHEN WE NEED HIM? Johan Santana is the hurler Little Stein wanted so badly before the Twins dealt him to the Mets for Carlos Gomez and assorted bums. Santana has been great for the Mets this season but allowed five runs on eight hits in six innings against the Phillies in his last start. He is 4-1, 3.15 in 10 games against the Yankees in his career.

NOT SO BAD: Robinson Cano is 6 of 15 against Santana. Derek Jeter is 8 of 23 with five extra-base hits. A-Rod is 5 of 21 but with two homers.

OLD FRIENDS: A.J. Burnett was drafted by the Mets in 1995 then sent to Florida as part of the deal that landed the loquacious left-hander, Al Leiter. Burnett is 2-6, 3.83 against the Mets in his career. He has not faced them since 2005.

SLUMPING: Johnny Damon is 1 of his last 18 with five strikeouts.

A-ROD HOME RUN STUFF: Alex has 562 homers, one shy of tying Reggie Jackson for 11th place all-time. … Alex has hit nine homers in his last 14 games against the Mets. … Of his nine homers this season, eight have home at Yankee Stadium.

COMEBACKERS: The Yankees are 4-22 when trailing after eight innings. They were 4-122 in such situations from 2007-08.

COKE IS IT AGAIN: Phil Coke has thrown 5.2 scoreless innings in his last six appearances and put only four men on base.

HOMER HAVEN: There has been at least one home run in all 31 games played at Yankee Stadium this season. The Yankees have hit 100 home runs, a franchise record over 62 games.

RISP REPORT: The Yankees are 6 of their last 40 (.150) and 10 of their last 74 (.135).

Back with much more later on.

UPDATE, 11:55 a.m.: Francisco Rodriguez tried to confront Brian Bruney during batting practice today and was held back by Jose Veras. The incident attracted enough attention that several Yankees, including CC Sabathia, came over to keep the peace.

Bruney was in left field as the Yankees were finishing up their BP. The Mets were coming into the field at the same time and Rodriguez went over to Bruney and appeared to be yelling at him.

I did not see the incident myself but watched video taken from the outfield by a fan, Frank from VoteSwisher.com. (The video is not on his blog as of yet. Frank is at game.)

I asked Bruney what happened and he smiled. “We talked about our dinner plans,” he said. “That was it.”

But the video showed a lot more than that. It was testy for a few seconds before cooler heads prevailed. Bruney, for his part, remained calm. It was Rodriguez who seemed agitated.

This goes back to yesterday’s incident when, unprovoked, Bruney said Rodriguez had a “tired act.” Rodriguez then said he didn’t know who Bruney was. He also challenged Bruney to say something to his face.

UPDATE, 12:11 p.m.: YES has video. Watch their pre-game show. If Rodriguez did make contact, that is something MLB will want to look into.

UPDATE, 12:18 p.m.: Meanwhile, Brian Cashman said today that Bruney would be activated on Tuesday.

Cashman talked about assorted other topics. But whenever he was asked about the Stadium, he passed. “You’d have to talk to Randy (Levine) or Lonn (Trost) about that,” he said when asked about all the home runs. Are the dimensions really the same? “”You’d have to talk to Randy or Lonn about that,” he said. Is the team doing any studies on the wind? “You’d have to talk to Randy or Lonn about that,” he said.

So, yes, the Stadium has become an issue within the organization. Dave Eiland said today that the park is part of the reason his pitchers are afraid to throw strikes.

UPDATE, 12:33 p.m.: The YES video of the K-Rod/Bruney incident shows no shoving. K-Rod tried to get at Bruney and was walked away by Mike Pelfrey. It looked like one of those “hold me back, hold me back” kind of things. Bruney just stood there.

UPDATE, 1:02 p.m.: No Mets and Yankees have tried to fight in the last few minutes.

UPDATE, 1:12 p.m.: Nice catch by Swish to start the game. He jumped into that impossible-to-see scoreboard in right field and jostled the “Mets” sign. He better hope it’s not broken or Lonn Trost will send him a bill.

UPDATE, 1:29 p.m.: I get it, Burnett needs to face teams from New York to pitch well. 22 pitches after two innings? That is usually two batters for him.

UPDATE, 1:36 p.m.: The Yankees are bunting their No. 6 hitter in the second inning of a scoreless game. Just brilliant.

Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad baseball.

UPDATE, 1:40 p.m.: First and third, one out. They’re due for a hit in a situation like this.

UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.: What a moment for the Cisco Kid. Facing his legendary countryman, he dumps a little RBI single into right field. 1-0 Yankees. They’re making Johan work.

UPDATE, 1:49 p.m.: No team goes after Brian Bruney and gets away with it.

UPDATE, 1:53 p.m.: Best part of that inning for the Yankees? Three straight two-out, two-strike hits with RISP. 4-0 against Santana. Burnett has to win this game now. No excuses.

UPDATE, 1:57 p.m.: Ladies and gentlemen, A.J. Burnett. Gets a 4-0 lead, walks the next batter who is a .241 hitter.

UPDATE, 1:58 p.m.: If the Yankees make a highlight video of this season, it’ll be called “Here comes Dave Eiland to the mound, the story of the 2009 Yankees.”

UPDATE, 2:04 p.m.: Federal government will stop water-boarding prisoners in favor of making them watch A.J. Burnett pitch. “I give in! Here are the secret plans! No more!”

UPDATE, 2:11 p.m.: If Burnett turns it around and makes something of this season, that third inning will be where it happened. Bases loaded, no outs and he escapes.

UPDATE, 2:17 p.m.: Didn’t get to this before. Here are the pre-game interviews with Joe Girardi:

and Brian Cashman:

UPDATE, 2:40 p.m.: Wow, shocking turn of events here as Santana is out of the game after getting hammered by the Yankees. 3+ innings, nine hits and seven runs so far.

UPDATE, 2:48 p.m.: So A-Rod nearly grounded into a triple play. Then Cano homers and it’s 11-0. The nine ERs are the most ever allowed by Santana.

UPDATE, 3:02 p.m.: I think I broke my pen keeping score. What a crazy game. Can’t imagine anybody saw 13-0 coming against Santana.

Cano is now 7 of 17 against Johan and Jeter is 11 of 26.

UPDATE, 3:15 p.m.: In other news from the ballpark, Burnett is working on a three-hit shutout in the sixth inning.

UPDATE, 3:49 p.m.: Angel Berroa just got hit in the hip by a pitch. He didn’t mind, he had that hip replaced years ago.

UPDATE, 4:04 p.m.: Nice game for Burnett. 7 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 4 walks, eight strikeouts. That third inning could prove very important to him. He threw 66 of his 111 pitches for strikes.

UPDATE, 4:28 p.m.: It’s finally over. Yankees edge the Mets 15-0. Back later with some more.