Piazza Powers Mets’ Comeback

Mike Piazza hit a monstrous homer over the left-field bleachers, capping a rousing six-run rally in the eighth inning Sunday night as the New York Mets averted a Subway Series sweep by defeating the New York Yankees, 8-7, at New York.

The Mets had not led in the three-game series, and trailed, 7-2, before taking advantage of shortstop Derek Jeter’s error and a depleted Yankee bullpen.

With many fans in the sellout crowd of 54,399 at Shea Stadium already gone, the Mets came back in the eighth. Jeter misplayed a grounder to start the inning, Desi Relaford hit a run-scoring single and Benny Agbayani delivered a two-run single that made the score 7-5.

Tsuyoshi Shinjo then made a tumbling slide into first base, beating a double-play relay to give the Mets another run and pull them within 7-6.

That brought up Piazza with two out. The slugger took ball one from Carlos Almanzar (0-1) before launching the ball to deep left for his 19th home run.

“It’s a cool thing that the people who stuck it out saw a good thing,” Piazza said.

Turk Wendell (2-2) got one out in the eighth for the win. Armando Benitez pitched a perfect ninth for his 11th save.

Bernie Williams, who had already homered, doubled and singled, nearly tied it with two out in the ninth with a long fly that was barely foul.

Williams struck out on the next pitch, with the ball bouncing away from Piazza. The Met catcher retrieved it and made a one-hop throw to get Williams at first base for the final out.

Ted Lilly walked a career-high eight--the most by a Yankee since David Cone on April 21, 1997--and tied a team record by throwing three wild pitches in only 5 1/3 innings.

Despite his struggles, Lilly gave up only one hit, a single by Todd Zeile in the first. The Mets scored later in the inning on Lilly’s third walk, to Joe McEwing.

San Diego 11, Seattle 9--Bubba Trammell hit his second home run of the game to break an eighth-inning tie, lifting the Padres at San Diego after blowing a four-run lead.

Trammell connected off reliever Jeff Nelson (2-1) with two out in the eighth, scoring Mike Darr who walked.

Seattle, which fell to 52-15, had won all 13 previous starts by Aaron Sele. The Mariners are tied with the 1902 Pirates for the second-best start after 67 games.

Padre reliever Tom Davey (2-2) earned the win by getting two out in the eighth. Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 14th save, striking out Edgar Martinez with runners on second and third to end the game.

Arizona 8, Detroit 3--Tony Womack, struggling since his father’s death in April, hit a grand slam and doubled twice for the Diamondbacks at Phoenix.

As Womack crossed the plate after his first home run of the season, he pointed two fingers to the sky, then hung his head and wiped his eyes as he was congratulated by his teammates. Four Arizona players homered to help Curt Schilling become baseball’s first 11-game winner (11-2).

St. Louis 8, Chicago White Sox 3--Rookie Bud Smith outpitched David Wells in his first career start and the Cardinals swept the White Sox at St. Louis.

The Cardinals played most of the game without Mark McGwire, ejected by plate umpire Mike Everitt for arguing a called strike in the third inning.

The Cardinals also finished without J.D. Drew, whose right hand was broken when he was hit by a pitch in the third inning.

Before the game, Wells said he is getting weary of the trade talk that continues to swirl around him.

“All I know is I’m tired of it, to the point where I’m ready to snap,” Wells said. “And that’s one thing I don’t want to do.”

San Francisco 3, Oakland 0--Kirk Rueter threw six scoreless innings at San Francisco for the Giants’ sixth consecutive victory.

Rueter (8-6) won his duel with Tim Hudson (7-4) thanks in part to Calvin Murray and Rich Aurilia, who each drove in a run in the third inning. Barry Bonds was held without a home run for the second consecutive game.

Boston 4, Atlanta 3--Carl Everett had two hits, scored two runs and drove in another for the Red Sox at Atlanta.

Boston’s Manny Ramirez broke out of a three for 28 slump with an RBI double. The Braves drew to 4-3 in the seventh. But Derek Lowe shut down the Braves in the eight and ninth for his 10th save.

Milwaukee 5, Kansas City 2--Richie Sexson and Henry Blanco homered, and Ronnie Belliard had a two-run double at Milwaukee as the Brewers overcame the record-setting pitching of Blake Stein.

Stein (3-5) lost despite setting a club record with eight consecutive strikeouts, starting with Sexson to end the first inning. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and struck out a career-high 11--three short of Mark Gubicza’s club record against Minnesota Aug. 27, 1988.

Texas 6, Houston 2--Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning for the Rangers at Houston.

Darren Oliver (6-2) went 6 2/3 innings and gave up two runs and five hits. Craig Biggio hit two home runs for the Astros.

Baltimore 10, Philadelphia 7--Brady Anderson drove in three runs with one of the Orioles four home runs at Philadelphia and help avoided a series sweep against the Phillies.

Florida 6, Tampa Bay 4--Mike Redmond and Kevin Millar had three hits and two RBIs apiece at Miami as the Marlins completed a sweep of the Devil Rays.

Montreal 4, Toronto 1--Orlando Cabrera hit a three-run home run in the ninth to lead the Expos at Montreal.