Rookie Tyler Clippard splashed onto the Subway Series scene with aplomb, firing six innings of one-run ball and helping the Yankees salvage a 6-2 victory over the crosstown rival Mets on Sunday night at Shea Stadium. Clippard, a 22-year-old right-hander, made his Major League debut in style. Summoned from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and added to the Yankees' roster before the game, Clippard limited the potent Mets lineup to three hits and struck out six in a 95-pitch performance, his only blemish being a second-inning home run by David Wright.
The Yankees' supported Clippard's first turn on the big stage with a strong showing against Mets right-hander John Maine, who was bounced after five innings.
After leaving five runners on through the first three innings, the Yankees cracked through with four runs in the fourth inning. Maine offered walks to Bobby Abreu and Doug Mientkiewicz before Johnny Damon came through with a bloop double to right-center field in front of diving right fielder Shawn Green, scoring the Yankees' first two runs.
Derek Jeter followed with his third home run of the season, a two-run shot to left and his second in as many games. In the fifth inning, Jorge Posada also homered for the second straight game, reaching Maine, who allowed five runs and eight hits, for a solo blast to right. Alex Rodriguez clubbed his Major League-leading 17th home run off Ambiorix Burgos in the seventh inning to provide insurance.
Clippard also proved to be no slouch with the bat. He dropped down a successful sacrifice bunt in the third inning and even added his first Major League hit in the victory, stroking a one-out double to right-center field off reliever Scott Schoeneweis in the sixth.
