Raul Ibanez says he's not bitter or angry when playing against the Mariners, his ex-club.

He just happens to hit like a man with a point to prove against them.

Entering play Sunday, Ibanez was hitting .322 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 36 games against Seattle.

And that dominance continued on Sunday afternoon.

Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI to key the Yanks' 6-2 win over the Mariners.

His biggest hit came in the sixth when, with the Yanks holding a 4-2 lead, Ibanez came up with a two-run single to provide the final cushion.

"He's one of those guys that never tries to do too much and can relax in those situations," Joe Girardi said. "That's why he comes through a lot."

Sure does. The 40-year-old veteran has 48 RBIs on 68 hits as a Yankee.

Many of those runs have been driven in when the Yanks needed them most.

Six of Ibanez's 15 homers have given the Yanks the lead. Eight of them have come in the sixth inning or later. He's also helped New York deal with the absence of Alex Rodriguez, who's out with a broken hand.

"No matter what's going on, the goal is to win games," Ibanez said. "You've got to find a way to go out there and get it done until he comes back."

In the Yankees' nine-game home stand (of which, two games were played without Mark Teixeira), Ibanez went 8-for-20 (.400) with seven runs, three HR and seven RBI in six starts.

"He's been great," Derek Jeter said. "(Against) righties, lefties, close games, when we're behind. … Raul's been a professional hitter for many, many years and he's doing it again this year."

Ibanez is in his 16th season. He spent ten of those seasons in Seattle.

On Sunday, just like he has through much of his career, Ibanez torched his old club.

But he says it's nothing personal. Just business.

"I try not to get emotional about it," he said. "That's not going to help you do the job."