Yankees Are Left Waiting for Relief

The New York Yankees’ bullpen finally let one get away.

Alfonso Soriano went five for five with his 39th home run for New York, but John Flaherty hit a tiebreaking double in the eighth inning that lifted the Tampa Bay Devil Rays over the Yankees, 9-7, Tuesday night.

Flaherty’s two-out, two-run double against Steve Karsay capped a four-run rally. Carl Crawford had a run-scoring grounder against Ramiro Mendoza (8-4) and Aubrey Huff had a run-scoring single in the eighth.

New York’s bullpen had converted all 12 save opportunities during closer Mariano Rivera’s stint on the disabled list.

“We’ve been spoiled ... we haven’t given any of those away,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “It felt strange, and I hope it continues to feel strange.”

Mike Stanton, Mendoza and Karsay gave up five runs and six hits in two innings in relief of Orlando Hernandez.

The Yankees’ magic number to clinch the American League East title remained at four. Shortstop Derek Jeter left because of a bruised right wrist shortly after being hit by Paul Wilson’s pitch in the seventh, and was examined after the game.

“He’ll be in there [today],” Torre said. “He’s OK. That was just precautionary. If we’re in a different situation, he’s staying in.”

Soriano tied his career high for hits, and homered in his third consecutive game. He needs one more homer to become the fourth player to have 40 homers and 40 steals in a season.

Soriano hit his 48th double, most by a Yankee right-handed hitter. Bob Meusel had 47 in 1927.

Hernandez, pitching to catcher Jorge Posada for the first time since throwing a punch at his teammate in a clubhouse scuffle Saturday, gave up four runs and 10 hits in six innings.

Even though Posada has long caught Hernandez, they often disagree on what pitches to throw, and frequently get angry at each other in the dugout.

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Double Player

Second baseman Alfonso Soriano hit his 48th double of the season Tuesday, tying Don Mattingly for the third-best mark in New York Yankee history. A look:

*--* Player Year Doubles Don Mattingly 1986 53 Lou Gehrig 1927 52 Don Mattingly 1985 48 Alfonso Soriano 2002 48

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