MLB: NY Yankees 2, NY Mets 1

Vazquez (3-4) struck out six before suffering an injured right index finger while attempting to put down a bunt in the seventh. He did not return to the mound but left with a lead the Yankees were able to maintain.

Mariano Rivera came on in the ninth to protect a 2-0 advantage and gave up a run on two-out doubles by Jason Bay and Ike Davis. Rivera then got David Wright to ground out to second to end the game.

It was Rivera's eighth save.

Kevin Russo delivered his first career major league hit with a single in the third, and he then doubled in the seventh to drive in the only two runs for the Yankees.

Hisanori Takahashi also made his first major league start for the Mets and gave up five hits with a walk over six shutout innings. Elmer Dessens (0-1) allowed the seventh-inning runs and took the loss.

The Mets have dropped eight of their last 10 and the Yankees halted a three-game skid.

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