The Reds pulled away by batting around for three runs in the bottom of the inning, and Heisey homered for the third time in the eighth. Teammates made him take a curtain call, and fans chanted his name when he went back out to left field.
He became the third Reds player to homer three times in the leadoff spot, joining Pete Rose and Jay Bruce.
Cueto has given up only four runs in four June starts. He was scratched from a start Monday in the series opener because of a sore neck. He stretched it sideways as he walked off the field after fanning Rodriguez in the first inning, an indication it was still bothering him a bit.
Couldn't tell by his pitching. He retired 12 straight batters over one stretch, putting the Reds in line for only their second victory in nine interleague games.
Gordon had problems in one of the majors' most homer-friendly ballparks.
The 32-year-old journeyman left the Phillies farm system last week to sign with the Yankees, who need help for their depleted rotation. He impressed in his first start, giving up two runs in 51/3 innings of a win over Texas.
The second time wasn't so good.
Gordon showed Heisey his two best pitches leading off the first inning, throwing a 69-m.p.h. curve followed by a 90-m.p.h. fastball. Heisey then connected on a sloppy, full-count fastball. Gordon gave up five hits - three of them homers - and four runs in five innings.
The Yankees won the first game without Rodriguez or first baseman Mark Teixeira in the starting lineup. Posada played first base and made the difference.
Yankees 4, Reds 2
New York 002 002 000 – 4 6 3
Cincinnati 000 020 000 – 2 4 0
First Game
New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
