Damon sparks Yankees

PHILADELPHIA -- Johnny Damon's two-run triple in the eighth inning helped New York overcome Ryan Howard's two homers and seven RBIs in the Yankees' 9-7 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies last night.

Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada homered and Bernie Williams went 5 for 5 for the Yankees, who ended a three-game losing skid despite another subpar outing from Mike Mussina.

Howard hit his 24th and 25th homers to tie the injured Albert Pujols for the major league lead and had a tiebreaking, two-run triple in the seventh.

But Arthur Rhodes gave up the lead against a team that has owned him throughout his career. Rhodes (0-2) didn't retire a batter in the eighth, allowing four runs. He's 4-8 with a 7.22 ERA in 49 games against the Yankees.

Williams had an infield single to start the eighth and Miguel Cairo walked. Pinch hitter Melky Cabrera snapped an 0-for-15 slump with an RBI single to cut it to 7-6. Damon then ripped a two-run triple to center field to give the Yankees their first lead, 8-7. Ryan Franklin came in and gave up an RBI single to Derek Jeter.

T.J. Beam (1-0) retired the only batter he faced for his first win in the majors. Desperate for a victory, Yankees manager Joe Torre then turned to Rivera in the eighth. Rivera picked up his 14th save in 16 chances. Howard grounded to second with runners on first and second to end the game.

``It's not something I like to do, but I felt the game was important and we have an off day [tomorrow], " said Torre of bringing in Rivera for two innings. ``Mo was up to the challenge. When you think about all the things he's done in his career and the hitters he's faced, he doesn't back down from anybody."

Howard wasn't in the starting lineup against lefty Randy Johnson Monday night. He quickly showed the Yankees his tremendous power in the first inning.

Mussina retired the first two batters before Bobby Abreu singled and Pat Burrell walked. Howard hit Mussina's next pitch into the third deck in right field. The mammoth shot traveled an estimated 461 feet and was the first to reach that level in the three-year history of Citizens Bank Park.

Before Howard came to the plate, Mussina yelled at plate umpire Gary Cederstrom because he thought his 3-and-1 pitch to Burrell was a strike. Cederstrom took off his mask and said something back to Mussina.

If Mussina was rattled, Howard certainly took advantage. He paused to admire his blast before jogging around the bases while teammates in the dugout were awed by the drive.

After the Yankees tied it at 3 with two runs in the fourth, Howard hit an opposite-field, two-run shot in the bottom half. Burrell led off with a single, before Howard hit a low-and-away 1-and-2 pitch into the seats in left-center.

Mussina allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings. He's 0-2 with a no-decision in his last three starts after going 8-1.