Pavano Is Injured, and Yankees Lose

Melvin Mora’s line drive went up the middle, and Carl Pavano couldn’t get out of the way. The ball hit the right side of the pitcher’s head, and ricocheted into foul territory down the right-field line.

Pavano, who remained standing, reached for the right side of his head and immediately was taken out. Players on both teams called it a frightening spectacle, but the Yankees said he avoided serious injury. Taken to a hospital, Pavano was diagnosed with a mild concussion, then returned to Yankee Stadium shortly after the Baltimore Orioles completed Sunday’s 7-2 win over New York.

“Tests showed there was a brain,” Pavano joked to Yankee spokesman Rick Cerrone.

Pavano, who declined to speak with reporters, went with the team to Boston for the three-game series against the Red Sox that opens today. Yankee team physician Stuart Hershon said Pavano was fine, but Cerrone said it was too early to determine whether Pavano (0-1) would take his next scheduled turn in the rotation.

One day after wasting a four-run lead in an 8-5 loss, Baltimore had 14 hits and won a series at Yankee Stadium for the first time since 1997, taking two of three and getting 43 hits in the series.

Texas 7, Seattle 6 -- David Dellucci hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to help the Rangers rally for a victory at Seattle after wasting a five-run lead.

Mark Teixeira led off the seventh with a double off Mariner reliever Matt Thornton (0-2). One out later, Dellucci hit a 416-foot homer into the second deck in right field.

Toronto 4, Boston 3 -- Orlando Hudson doubled home the winning run in the ninth inning to give the Blue Jays the victory at Toronto.

Eric Hinske was three for four with two runs batted in for the Blue Jays, who took two of three from the Red Sox -- their first series win against Boston since a sweep May 30-June 1, 2003.

Cleveland 7, Detroit 6 -- Ben Broussard’s two-run double keyed a six-run first inning, then the Indians held on at Detroit.

Jason Davis (1-0) pitched six innings in his season debut, giving up five runs -- four earned -- and eight hits. He walked one and matched a career best with seven strikeouts.

Oakland 6, Tampa Bay 1 -- Rich Harden gave up only one run in his first start of the season, and Erubiel Durazo hit a two-run single during a four-run sixth inning for the Athletics at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Minnesota 5, Chicago 2 -- Johan Santana struck out 11 in seven innings, and Torii Hunter hit a three-run homer to help the Twins avoid a three-game sweep at Minneapolis.