Being up 2-0 in the ALCS is a luxury that Orlando El Duque Hernandez has seldom experienced in the postseason. Usually, the Yankees are on the brink of elimination or desperation when he’s handed the ball in October. Such was the case in 1998 when he beat the Indians with the Yankees down 2-1 in the ALCS and such was the case last Sunday when he went 52/3 innings to beat the A’s in Game 4 of the Division Series.

Still, the last thing Hernandez will be feeling today when he takes the mound for Game 3 against the Mariners is comfortable.

“That would be relaxing and I try to never relax whether it be the regular season or the postseason,” Hernandez said through an interpreter yesterday. “I always try to keep the same amount of pressure on myself. Two victories doesn’t mean we’ve won anything. It just means that we are ahead in the series.”

A month ago, it wasn’t certain whether Hernandez would be available even if the Yankees made it this far. When he left a Sept. 29 game against the Orioles in the second inning with arm trouble, the Yankees began building contingency plans. But four good innings of relief against the Devil Rays on Oct. 7 and a quality outing against the A’s has eased manager Joe Torre’s mind about starting Hernandez.

“We were on the bubble with him on Sunday in Tampa and he pitched four effective innings,” Torre said. “We were concerned about his physical well being at that time. But he was challenging people, being able to get in on the hands of hitters. I was pleased.”

His performance against the A’s wasn’t spectacular, but efficient. He threw 111 pitches in 52/3 innings, allowing two earned runs, while striking out five and walking two. He was also helped by the Yankees bullpen and success plate, walking away with the victory in a 9-2 win.

“I thought he had real good command,” Torre said. “He didn’t want to come out of the game. He had thrown 111 pitches and that was enough since I had a bullpen to go to. If I did not have a rested bullpen at that point in time I probably would have left him in the game. I feel pretty good about him. He’s been a good post-season guy for us, and he seems to be physically in good shape right now.”