Inviting Bronx porch brings out best in Ibanez

NEW YORK -- On Wednesday, Raul Ibanez was in the Mariners' starting lineup against the Yankees for the second time in as many days, and for good reason.

Ibanez, 40, went 2-for-4 with a home run in Tuesday's 4-3 loss and entered Wednesday hitting .280 with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs in 75 games at the new Yankee Stadium. The slugging veteran added to those totals by hitting a grand slam to right-center field in the first inning and a two-run homer to left in the fifth.

When postseason games are included, Ibanez has hit 22 home runs in his last 241 at-bats at the Bronx.

How hot is Ibanez in the Big Apple? In his last 11 games at Yankee Stadium, he's hit nine homers and recorded 20 RBIs.

"It's nice for a left-handed hitter," Ibanez acknowledged after lacing his two-run homer into the inviting right-field seats in the sixth inning on Tuesday. "It's short with a low wall, so it's definitely nice for a left-handed hitter."