Delgado, Wright Blast Yankees 4-3

Yankees Strand 15 in Loss

Carlos Delgado and David Wright belted long home runs off of Aaron Small (0-2) last night as the Mets pitching staff made like Houdini escaping one jam after another in a 4-3 win. The Yankees had runners on in an every inning, but could only manage to push 3 runs across, stranding 15 in the process. Small, filling in for the injured Shawn Chacon, pitched a strong first 3 innings before running into trouble in the 4th. After allowing lead off singles to Paul Lo Duca and Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado smacked a hanger over the fence in left-center to give the Mets a 3-2 lead. One pitch later David Wright hit a tape measure shot to left that may still be traveling. Small was yanked after allowing a pair of base runners in the 5th and the Yankees bullpen shut the Mets out for the rest of the night to give the visitors a chance. One chance after another that went by the boards against Mets starter Tom Glavine (7-2) and the bullpen.

In the first, the Yankees had two and two out, but Robinson Cano grounded to Kaz Matsui to end it. Bernie Williams led off the second with a double, his first of three hits and moved to third on a ground out. But Kelly Stinnett and Melky Cabrera both K'ed. One inning later Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi singled, but Alex Rodriguez flied out and Cano grounded out again.

The Yankees finally broke through in the fourth with some help from David Wright. The Yankees loaded the bases on a double by Williams, a walk to Stinnett, and Damon's hit by pitch. Jeter's hard grounder in the hole on the left side was misplayed by David Wright who pulled up too soon on the ball, resulting in a 2-run single. After a walk to Giambi, A-Rod had another chance, but his line drive was snared by Cliff Floyd in left.

Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, Jeter bounced into an inning ending double play. The Yankees loaded the bases against Aaron Heilman in the 7th, but Stinnett bounced out to strand three more. Giambi's sacrifice fly in the eighth cut the lead to 4-3, but Duaner Sanchez got A-Rod to bounce into another inning ending DP.

The Yankees had one more chance against a shaky Billy Wagner in the 9th. Williams and Cabrera stroked one out singles, but Wagner K'ed Stinnett and got Miguel Cairo to ground to earn his 9th save.

Notes

Mike Myers, Colter Bean, Ron Villone, and Scott Erickson combined for 4 2-3 shutout innings, allowing just 2 base runners.

Shawn Chacon was put on the DL after the game and newly signed outfielder Terrence Long was recalled from the minors. Small will continue to take Chacon's turn in the rotation.

Still looking for more offense, the Yankees signed Eurubial Durazo today to a minor league deal. Durazo had off-season Tommy John surgery and signed a minor league deal with Texas prior to the season. He was released by the Rangers on May 17. Durazo had his best season with the A's in 2004, hitting .321-22-88, but the elbow injury limited him to just 41 games last season.

Gary Sheffield is expected to play one rehab game at Double-A Trenton this evening before being activated from the DL for Tuesday's game with Boston.