JULY 11, 1999 Yankees 6 Mets 3
HAVING already lost their first three-game series to the Mets in three years of interleague play, the Yankees turned nervously to Hideki Irabu and asked the erratic hurler to pitch well enough for them not to get swept into Flushing Bay.
Seven innings later, Irabu left having allowed three runs and seven hits. Most impressive was Irabu fanning Rickey Henderson, getting Edgardo Alfonzo on a fly to right and John Olerud on a pop to left with runners on first and third to end the fourth.
“That was the key to the game,” Alfonzo said. “Give credit to Irabu, but we didn’t hit.”
Ricky Ledee did, belting a three-run homer in the fourth that gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Chad Curtis’ two-run, pinch-hit single highlighted a three-run Yankees fifth. Rivera faced the minimum three hitters in the ninth for the save.
“You hate to say it was a must-win, but with the tough game yesterday it was a huge win,” Chuck Knoblauch said.