MLB

Amid new A-Rod controversy, Teixeira’s blast lead Yankees past Indians

With controversy swirling around Alex Rodriguez in Tampa yet again, the Yankees hoped to find some success in The Bronx Tuesday night.

Mark Teixeira and David Phelps did their part in a 4-3 win over the Indians, as the Yankees won consecutive games for the first time since May 24-25 against the Rays, hanging on after the normally reliable bullpen nearly gave it away.

While Rodriguez could find himself in MLB’s crosshairs, according to ESPN, because of his alleged ties to performance-enhancing drugs, Teixeira seems to have reached midseason form more quickly than usual.

For the second straight night, the first baseman delivered a third-inning homer, this one a three-run blast from the right side of the plate off ex-Met Scott Kazmir that gave the Yankees a four-run lead.

And Phelps, after failing to get out of the first inning in his previous outing, shut down the Indians over six innings to improve to 4-3.

The Yankees cruised along until the seventh, when Joba Chamberlain coughed up a three-run homer to Drew Stubbs that gave Cleveland new life.

Chamberlain was booed off the mound when he was replaced by Boone Logan, who finished the inning.

Before the game, manager Joe Girardi called the bullpen “a big part of our success,” but that wasn’t exactly the case last night.

David Robertson found himself in trouble in the eighth after surrendering a walk and a single before Nick Swisher lined into a double play to second baseman Jayson Nix and then Robertson got Carlos Santana to ground out.

Mariano Rivera earned his 21st save by fanning Mark Reynolds and Jason Giambi and getting Mike Aviles to fly out in the ninth.

Phelps had actually pitched well in his prior four outings before managing to retire just one batter in a 9-4 loss to the Mets on May 29, giving up four runs.

Before the game, Girardi spoke confidently the right-hander would bounce back from the Mets’ loss.

“I think it’s the first inning for him,” the manager said. “He has struggled in the first inning and the last time, he wasn’t able to get out of it. Other games before he was. If he gets by that first inning, he’s usually pretty good. A lot of pitchers are like that. I think it’s just [getting] a feel for the mound and the game.”

Phelps had no problem with that, allowing just one hit. He did walk four, not the first time he’s had some trouble with his control this season.

But no one could argue with the results.

And Teixeira took care of the rest.

His homer came after Lyle Overbay — who started in right field again last night after his wife sent him his outfielder’s glove that he has used since he was in Double-A — led off the inning with a booming double to center.

Chris Stewart followed with a single to center and inexplicably got caught between first and second with Overbay on third. He was thrown out in the ensuing rundown, but Ichiro Suzuki delivered a run-scoring single to left to drive in Overbay and give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

Nix then singled to right to continue the rally and bring Teixeira up to the plate.

After sending a line drive just over the right field wall Monday night, he crushed Kazmir’s 3-1 offering into the left field seats.

The Yankees had scored more than three runs just twice in their previous eight games before Monday’s 7-4 victory.

“Some balls were hit pretty hard [Monday] night,” Girardi said before the game. “I didn’t think the approach was that much different.”

Just the results.

dan.martin@nypost.com