Orlando Hernandez was always at his best in big games for the Yankees, so they knew exactly what type of effort it would take to beat him.

Mike Mussina out pitched his ex-teammate, and Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer off El Duque that sent New York to a 3-2 victory last night over the Chicago White Sox.

“You knew Duque is going to bend, but not break,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said. “He didn’t give us much, but he walked a couple of guys. That was vintage Duque.”

Mariano Rivera got his career-best 30th consecutive save, and the Yankees (60-50) moved 10 games over .500 for the first time this season. They improved to 2-32 when scoring three runs or fewer and won for the fourth time in five games overall.

It was New York’s first meeting this season with the AL Central-leading White Sox (72-39), who have the best record in the major leagues.

“We did a lot of good things tonight. It was just a complete, clean ballgame for us,” Torre said. “You’re curious when you haven’t faced a team that has a record like they do, to see how you match up to them. It makes you feel a little better about yourself.”

Hernandez (8-5) got a nice ovation before the game from Yankees fans who remember all he accomplished during two stints in pinstripes from 1998-04. The Cuban right-hander with the deceptive delivery went 61-40 for New York and 9-3 with a 2.65 ERA in the postseason.

“They are not my teammates anymore. My teammates are the ones here with me, the Chicago White Sox. It’s another team now,” Hernandez said. “I wanted this victory, like all of them. I don’t like to lose.”

Mussina (11-7) struck out Jermaine Dye on his 122nd pitch with runners at second and third to end the sixth.

“I knew it was going to be my last hitter,” Mussina said. “Today was the way we drew it up.”

The right-hander allowed two runs and eight hits, striking out seven and walking none. Tanyon Sturtze and Tom Gordon each worked a scoreless inning, setting up Rivera for his 30th straight save since blowing his first two chances this season against Boston.

“That was the first two games,” said Rivera, who finished with a perfect ninth. “Even though a bunch of people had me retiring, I trust my stuff and I know who I am.”

Derek Jeter led off the first inning with a long drive to left-center, but Aaron Rowand robbed him of a probable triple with a spectacular, diving catch at the edge of the warning track.

Hernandez gave up three runs and four hits in six innings.

“It was fun to watch him pitch here,” Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said.

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Right hander Carl Pavano was scheduled for two days of tests in Alabama, and manager Joe Torre said the team probably would have more information tonight. Meanwhile, Randy Johnson’s next start is in doubt because of back pain, though Torre said the Big Unit was feeling better. Johnson had an MRI that showed inflammation of the lumbar spine. He is day to day and will be re-evaluated today.