Weaver Struggles but Wins

Playing in unfamiliar situations, Jeff Weaver and Derek Jeter had good days.

Jeter hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to make sure Weaver won his debut with the New York Yankees as they rallied for a 10-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.

Weaver (7-8) gave up two three-run homers in his first start after being obtained by the Yankees from the Detroit Tigers in a three-way trade involving the Oakland Athletics early Saturday.

“I wanted to show them that I don’t give up two three-run homers very often,” Weaver said.

Jeter, who sat out two games with a sprained left knee, started as the designated hitter for the first time in his career and led the comeback with three runs batted in, including a two-run homer against Corey Thurman (1-2) that put the Yankees ahead, 7-6.

Nervous in front of the Yankee Stadium crowd of 57,478, Weaver fell behind, 3-0, giving up a double to Vernon Wells on his first pitch and a three-run homer to Carlos Delgado one out after an infield single by Shannon Stewart.

“It’s the last thing you want to have happen, especially in the first inning,” Weaver said.

Wells’ three-run shot in the fifth ended a 3-3 tie before the Yankees scored twice in the bottom half and then took the lead on Jeter’s homer.

Weaver gave up six runs and six hits in seven innings.

“You want to make sure that you’re cool, calm and collected when you go out there, but the crowd kind of takes that away from you,” Weaver said. “Once I get my feet on the ground, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”