Braves Still Can’t Solve Yankees

It seemed to be October all over again.

Orlando Hernandez dominated for seven innings, Ricky Ledee homered and drove in four runs and the New York Yankees picked up where they left off in the World Series, defeating the Atlanta Braves, 5-2, Friday night.

“It was a lot like it,” said Yankee catcher Jorge Posada, remembering the four-game sweep of the Braves last fall. “We went out there very patient at the plate. El Duque pitched a great game. That was all we needed.”

New York, which moved back into a tie with Boston for the American League East lead, used a familiar formula to beat the team with baseball’s best record: dominating pitching and timely hitting.

That’s the way it was last fall, when the Yankees blew away Atlanta for their third championship in four years.

“It’s a new season, new players,” New York Manager Joe Torre said, shrugging off the obvious comparisons. “This is another outstanding Braves club. But when the pitching is right, it’s tough to hit.”

Hernandez (5-4) allowed only four hits, striking out seven. He retired 10 of the last 11 hitters he faced.

Hernandez, who skipped his previous start because of a sore back, ended a four-game losing streak with his first win since April 23. The Yankees won for only the fifth time in their last 11 games.

“At times, you scratch your head and wonder when we’re going to play well,” Torre said. “Then, we play a team like the Braves and tend to business. It’s a mystery to me.”

Jeff Nelson allowed Chipper Jones’ 12th homer in the eighth before Mariano Rivera got four outs for his 13th save in 15 chances.

“It’s always fun playing a team of that caliber,” Brave starter Kevin Millwood said. “I’ll be happy to see them again in October.”

The Braves scored their other run in the third. Quilvio Veras singled with one out, stole second and came home on Andruw Jones’ single to left-center.

The Yankees bounced back in the next inning against Millwood. With one out, Tino Martinez doubled over Andruw Jones’ head in center, Jorge Posada walked and Ledee lined a fastball into the second row of the right-field stands for his fifth homer, a three-run shot.

Ledee, who has struggled much of the season, has 11 hits in his last 33 at-bats to raise his average to .246.

“I’m starting to relax. That’s the only way I’m going to get things working,” Ledee said.

“Sometimes I get uncomfortable and down on myself. I’m trying to put that out of my mind and get some hits now.”

Millwood (4-4) went seven innings, giving up seven hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

“I thought I pitched pretty good,” he said. “I made one mistake and it cost me. Any time you go seven innings and make only one mistake, that’s not too bad.”