Yankees Pull Off Victory in 12th

The Yankee Stadium crowd rocked and roared -- and it wasn’t for David Wells.

Pinch-hitter Ruben Sierra had just capped a four-run 12th inning with a game-winning sacrifice fly Sunday to give New York another stirring comeback victory, 6-5 over the San Diego Padres.

“I know weird things happen in Yankee Stadium, but this was amazing,” Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez said.

Trailing, 2-0, in the ninth, the Yankees tied it when Hideki Matsui and pinch-hitter Kenny Lofton hit consecutive home runs with two out against closer Trevor Hoffman.

After San Diego took a three-run lead in the 12th, the Yankees rallied for their 16th win in 19 games. New York has come from behind in 19 of its last 27 victories, and has won 26 times this year after trailing.

“It’s not something you can teach or instill. If it’s not there, you can’t create it,” Manager Joe Torre said. “These guys like each other, pull for each other, and I think it has galvanized in these guys the way the season has gone. I think they are having a lot of fun.”

In Wells’ return to Yankee Stadium, the 41-year-old left-hander gave up five hits in seven shutout innings. It was his first start against his former team since signing with the Padres in the off-season, and the crowd gave him a warm welcome.

“It was touching, I got a little choked up,” Wells said. “I’ll always appreciate them -- what they have done for me.”

Hoffman blew his second save in 16 chances this season.

Seattle 8, Montreal 1 -- Joel Pineiro ended his seven-game losing streak, and the host Mariners completed their first sweep this season.

Pineiro (2-8) won for the first time in 10 starts since April 18.

The right-hander gave up a homer by Terrmel Sledge in the fifth inning that ended a streak of 28 consecutive scoreless innings by Mariner pitchers, including 24 by starters.

Arizona 5, Toronto 3 -- Randy Johnson (9-4) struck out 11 at Toronto and won his sixth consecutive start.

The 40-year-old left-hander is tied with 41-year-old Roger Clemens and 39-year-old Kenny Rogers for the most victories in the majors this season.

It was the 196th time Johnson has struck out 10 batters or more in a game.

Ted Lilly (5-3) lost for the first time since April 21 against Boston -- a span of 10 starts.

Chicago White Sox 10, Atlanta 3 -- Mark Buehrle (7-1) won his sixth consecutive decision, and Carlos Lee extended his hitting streak to 27 games for the host White Sox.

Lee lined a double to the left-field wall in the first inning, increasing the longest hitting streak in the majors this season. He matched the franchise record set by Albert Belle in 1997 and Luke Appling in 1936.

Atlanta left-hander Mike Hampton was a late scratch because of a bruised left biceps. Travis Smith (0-3) replaced him.

Florida 9, Detroit 2 -- Dontrelle Willis (6-3) gave up seven hits at Detroit in his second complete game this season, and Juan Pierre was four for five with an inside-the-park homer for Florida.

The Marlins avoided being swept in the three-game series and ended Detroit’s four-game winning streak.

Pierre, the Marlins’ leadoff batter, and No. 2 hitter Luis Castillo were a combined seven for 10 and scored six runs.

Philadelphia 2, Minnesota 1 -- Cristian Guzman’s errant throw on a potential double-play grounder in the eighth inning allowed Placido Polanco to score the go-ahead run at Minneapolis.

With the bases loaded and one out, the Phillies’ Chase Utley hit a sharp grounder to second baseman Luis Rivas, who flipped to Guzman for a force play.

But the shortstop’s relay throw pulled first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz off the bag as Utley hustled down the line.

St. Louis 13, Texas 2 -- Scott Rolen hit a two-run homer and a run-scoring double in the first two innings, and the Cardinals improved the best road record in the major leagues to 23-12.

The Cardinals led, 10-0, after batting around in each of the first two innings and avoided their first losing trip this season.

Woody Williams (4-6) didn’t give up a hit until Mark Teixeira’s leadoff single in the fifth.

New York Mets 5, Kansas City 2 -- Tom Glavine took over the major league lead in earned-run average, and Mike Piazza backed him with a two-run homer at Kansas City, Mo., that helped the Mets end a five-game losing streak.

Glavine (7-3) lowered his earned-run average to 2.03, moving ahead of Houston’s Roger Clemens (2.08).

Kansas City center fielder Carlos Beltran bruised his left knee crashing into the center-field wall trying to catch Piazza’s homer. The Royals said Beltran was day to day.

Tampa Bay 3, Colorado 2 -- Julio Lugo drove in the winning run with one out in the ninth inning at St. Petersburg, Fla., and the Devil Rays handed the Rockies their season-worst eighth consecutive loss.

Carl Crawford hit a one-out single against Shawn Chacon (0-4) and stole second. Lugo drove in Crawford with a single to center, giving the Devil Rays their fifth victory in a row.