Alex Rodriguez against Chris Perez with the bases loaded yesterday was a bigger mismatch than BP against the gushing oil in the Gulf.
That also applies to the Yankees versus Indians.
When the Indians intentionally walked Mark Teixeira to load the bases with one out in the seventh and the Yankees leading by a run, it meant the right-handed Perez had to face Rodriguez with no room for error.
Because Perez hurls for the Indians, he made a colossal blunder that landed beyond the center-field wall and lifted the Yankees to an 11-2 victory in front of 44,976 sun-drenched Memorial Day spectators at Yankee Stadium.
SHERMAN: FREE PASS TO TEX NEVER A GOOD IDEA
Rodriguez’ 20th career grand slam combined with Andy Pettitte’s brilliant seven-inning pitching contribution allowed the 31-21 Yankees to win three of four from the putrid Indians.
Robinson Cano followed Rodriguez’s blast with a line-drive homer to right, one of the season-high 18 hits by the Yankees, who scored 37 runs against the Tribe in four games.
The only downer was Derek Jeter leaving the game in the seventh with tightness in his left hamstring, where he was hit in the second inning.
Manager Joe Girardi was unsure about what today would bring for his shortstop, who went 2-for-3 and is 17-for-35 (.486) in the last eight games.
“We won’t know (until today),” Girardi said. “He got hit in the hamstring and it stiffened up.”
When Manny Acta watched lefty Rafael Perez fall behind the switch-hitting Teixeira 3-0 and first base was open, the Indians’ manager ordered the fourth ball issued intentionally.
Acta, who called for the right-handed Chris Perez, knew the history with Rodriguez after Teixeira was walked intentionally to load the bases. But Acta was searching for an inning-ending double play.
Chris Perez fell behind Rodriguez 3-1 and paid for it when Rodriguez crushed a four-run homer to straight-away center.
“I felt it coming,” Rodriguez said of the intentional walk. He finished with six RBIs. “I would appreciate if we keep those numbers to ourselves and not share them with any other managers.”
Too late. Rodriguez is 5-for-6 with a sac fly and two walks after Teixeira has been intentionally walked to load the bases.
Until Rodriguez’s 20th grand slam that moved him ahead of Eddie Murray into third place on the all-time list, it was a tight game and required Pettitte to pitch well. And for the second straight outing, the veteran lefty was brilliant. In seven innings he allowed a run, four hits, fanned five and didn’t allow a walk for the second consecutive game.
Pettitte, 38 in two weeks, is pitching so well some believe he is doing the best pitching of a 16-year career that is approaching borderline Hall of Fame status. He is 7-1 with a 2.48 ERA and has taken the title of Yankees ace from CC Sabathia.
“I don’t know about that,” Pettitte said of throwing better than ever. “I feel comfortable with what I am doing.”
Had it not been for the Yankees scoring six runs in the seventh, Pettitte may have gone the distance.
“I started to get a little stiff so it was good to get out of there,” said Pettitte, who retired the final 14 Indians he faced.
Nothing less than three of four from the Indians was acceptable. Thanks to Rodriguez and Pettitte, it was accomplished.
george.king@nypost.com