New York ? More bad throws on bunts. Cutters that sail out of the strike zone. An exasperated expression in the dugout.

Sure doesn’t look like the same old Mariano Rivera. And suddenly, some people are starting to wonder: What’s wrong with Mo, the most dominant closer of his era?

New York's Mariano Rivera, right, steps off the mound after Boston's Shea Hillenbrand, left, hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning of a game last month in Boston. The Yankee closer has struggled with his control and defense so far this season.

“It’s just a phase he’s going through right now,” New York Yankees manager Joe Torre said. “I hate to call it a slump because he’s throwing the ball well. I have no worries that he’s not who he was.”

Besides, Torre has concerns these days other than his wobbly reliever.

After being swept at home by Seattle this weekend, the Yankees dropped to 18-14 and found themselves 41*2 games behind Boston. It was their largest deficit since 1997 the last year they didn’t win the AL East or reach the World Series.

Also, this omen: Last season, the Yankees lost only once when they led by at least four runs (to the Mets, when they chose not to use Rivera). This year, they’ve already blown three such games, two with Rivera.

“We need to pitch better, we need to hit better, we need to play better defense,” Torre said. “Aside from that, we’re fine.”

Truth is, Rivera hasn’t been terrible. The 32-year-old right-hander converted eight of 10 save opportunities, and is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. Most importantly, he’s eager to pitch.

“If you lose your confidence, you might as well pack and go home,” he said. “I want to get back out there as soon as I can.”

Rivera will soon become the Yankees’ career saves leader. He’s got 223, one behind Dave Righetti.

Yet Rivera’s control has been off, his fielding has become shaky and he’s given up key hits, albeit some of them softly stroked.

It probably didn’t help that he went five days last week without pitching.

“I’d like to get into a rhythm. It will come in time,” the relief ace said.

Opposing hitters sure aren’t rushing to the bat rack.

“I don’t think there’s a chink at all,” said Seattle’s Jeff Cirillo, who looped a go-ahead single off Rivera on Saturday. “The guy’s awesome, the best closer in the game.”

The Yankees hope so. Because for so long, they’ve always counted on Rivera and his devastating cut fastball.

The MVP of the 1999 World Series, he was perhaps the biggest reason the Yankees won four title. For those who doubt it, answer this question: How many titles would Atlanta own if they’d had Rivera all these years?

Rivera’s dominance, which included postseason records of 33 1/3 scoreless innings and 24 saves, ended in Game 7 of the World Series last year.

Arizona rallied for two runs against Rivera in the bottom of the ninth inning helped by his wild throw to second base on a bunt and won 3-2 when Luis Gonzalez blooped a single to center field.

Then there were two curious developments in spring training.

Normally quiet and never critical, Rivera made comments that blamed third baseman Scott Brosius for not turning a double play in the ninth inning of Game 7.

Also, he was stung when his cousin, outfielder Ruben Rivera, was released by the Yankees in spring training after taking a glove and bat from Derek Jeter’s locker.

In the second week of the season, Shea Hillenbrand startled Rivera with a game-deciding home run at Fenway Park. After the inning ended, Rivera sat in the dugout and threw his hands up over his head a rare display of emotion.

The next weekend, Rivera threw away another bunt against Toronto. Switch-hitter Felipe Lopez tried something new in the same game he batted right-handed against Rivera.

Rivera’s cutter is lethal on lefties, often breaking their bats. Yet lately it seems harder to control, maybe why he’s already walked five in 12 innings after issuing only 12 walks in 80 2/3 innings last year.

On Saturday, Rivera made another bad throw to second base on a bunt.

Rivera used to be a great fielder. But after being flawless in his first 378 regular season games, he’s made three errors in his last 37, plus that one in Game 7.

“If it is a persistent problem you will probably see teams try to exploit that a bit,” Seattle manager Lou Piniella said.