Nobody exhaled longer and louder than Alex Rodriguez when Hideki Matsui singled in two runs and Bernie Williams drove home another in the eighth inning yesterday at Shea Stadium.

A-Rod’s fielding error on Pedro Martinez’ routine, two-out grounder in the second gave the Mets two gift runs. Then in the eighth, with the Yankees down, 3-1, and runners on second and third, A-Rod fouled out on an 0-1 pitch.

So when Matsui’s two RBIs tied the score and Williams’ double plated Matsui for a lead, A-Rod was off the hook.

“That was an absolute joke,” A-Rod said of his team-leading seventh miscue. “It was embarrassing. That was pathetic.”

It was also part of an up-and-down Subway Series for A-Rod. At the plate he went 5-for-9, drew three walks and drove in two runs to hike is total to 43. He started yesterday’s action with an American League-leading 42 RBIs. However, he made two baserunning mistakes – one that was costly – and a big-time boot.

“Pedro was dealing and my error kind of opened it up for them,” said A-Rod, who shifted from third to short in the eighth inning. “But that’s why you play nine innings. This team showed heart. That was a ridiculous error. I peeked up to see Pedro running and I messed it up.”

Given a chance at redemption in the eighth, A-Rod appeared anxious against a Roberto Hernandez slider and failed to deliver.

“I got a good pitch to hit,” A-Rod said of the ball he popped up near the Mets’ dugout. “The ball just beat me. It was a good pitch to hit, no big deal.”

Winning pitcher Carl Pavano spoke to A-Rod after the Yankees’ 12th win 14 games and promised him the day is coming when the pitcher will pick up the infielder after making an error. However, A-Rod had a different take on Pavano’s day.

“Carl was great, if I stay out of his way he will be even better,” joked A- Rod who could smile because of Matsui and Williams.