Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira homered and drove in four runs apiece as the New York Yankees hammered the visiting Milwaukee Brewers 12-2 on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Freddy Garcia (7-6) was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, allowing two runs on eight hits in six innings as New York won for the 13th time in 17 games to open a 1 1/2-game lead over Boston atop the AL East.

Swisher's three-run homer capped a five-run second inning to help the Yankees build a 7-0 lead and knock out Brewers ace Zack Greinke (7-3), who lasted two innings in his shortest start since April 16, 2007.

Teixeira clubbed a two-run shot off Marco Estrada in the sixth to remain tied with Toronto’s Jose Bautista for the major league lead with 24 homers.

Estrada had to leave the game in the sixth when Alex Rodriguez drilled a line drive off the arch of his left foot.

Ryan Braun extended his hitting streak to 18 games for the Brewers.