Bombers blast Mets in Bronx as Rodriguez knocks in seven

Jul 3, 2006, 10:12 GMT

Bronx, NY - Alex Rodriguez belted two home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in seven runs as the New York Yankees took the rubber match of a three-game Subway Series with the New York Mets, 16-7, at Yankee Stadium.

Nick Green crushed a two-run homer as part of a eight-run third inning, Melky Cabrera had a pair of doubles and drove in three runs, Derek Jeter had three hits and two runs scored and Jorge Posada hit a solo homer for the Yankees, who have won three of four games.

Ron Villone (3-1) stabilized what was quickly turning into a softball game, allowing just one run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts in three frames. Villone replaced Jaret Wright, who was roughed up to the tune of four runs on seven hits with one walk and one strikeout in only 1 2/3 innings.

Carlos Beltran had four hits, including a pair of solo homers, and Jose Reyes drove in two runs with a triple for the Mets, losers in five of their last six games.

Alay Soler (2-3) was lit up in his first Bronx experience, surrendering eight runs on seven hits with three walks in only 2 2/3 frames. Heath Bell wasn't much better in relief, giving up eight runs -- four earned -- on six hits with two walks in just 2 1/3 innings.

The Mets jumped out to a substantial edge and chased Wright in the top of the second. Cliff Floyd singled back through the middle with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jose Valentin delivered with a base hit to right, and Floyd took liberties on Bernie Williams' poor arm in right, scoring just in front of a throw for a 1-0 edge.

Julio Franco followed with a double into the gap in right-center, but a beautiful set of relay throws from Johnny Damon to Green in short center to Posada cut down Valentin trying to score from first.

However, with two outs, Wright could not see himself out of the jam. Xavier Nady walked to put two runners on and the All-Star Reyes drove them both home with a triple past Williams in right. Paul LoDuca's single to center allowed Reyes to cross the plate for a 4-0 lead and Beltran's ensuing single brought Wright's evening to an end.

Carlos Delgado then walked to load the bases, but Villone got David Wright to sky a fly ball to Green at second on a 3-2 pitch to escape further damage.

Posada's leadoff homer off the facing of the upper deck in the home half of the second cut the deficit to 4-1.

Then, the Yankees welcomed the rookie Soler to the big-game atmosphere of New York.

The right-hander seemed to guide the ball early in the frame, walking Green and Damon to put two runners on. Jeter then lined a single to left, scoring Green for a 4-2 game.

Jason Giambi then hit a ground ball to Franco at first, but Soler was late covering and Giambi won the race to the bag. The misplay set the stage for Rodriguez with the bases loaded.

The perennial All-Star then did something that many New York fans insist doesn't happen often enough.

He delivered.

Rodriguez deposited a 1-2 fastball deep into the seats in right-center field, clearing the bases and giving the Yankees a 6-4 edge.

With two outs and Williams on first, Cabrera doubled to drive in another run for a 7-4 lead.

Bell replaced Soler, but the results were no different. Green jumped on a 3-1 pitch, clubbing his first homer of the season over the center-field wall for a 9-4 advantage.

Four more runs for the Yankees in the bottom of the fourth turned the game into a rout. Giambi and Rodriguez both singled and Posada walked to load the bases before, with two outs, Andy Phillips skied what appeared to be an inning-ending fly ball to Nady in right.

However, the ball popped out of the webbing of Nady's glove and two runs scored. Cabrera's second double of the game plated two more runs for a 13-4 lead.

The Mets scored one run in the top of the fifth as Valentin doubled then trotted home on Franco's double.

Rodriguez's power was again on display in the fifth as he demonstrated how quickly the crowd's perception of him can change.

In a New York minute.

Jeter singled then Giambi walked before Rodriguez crushed a first pitch from Bell over the center-field fence for a 16-5 game, rounding the bases to a standing ovation and coming out for a curtain call.

Beltran's long home run to right-center field in the top of the sixth frame followed by his towering solo shot in the ninth rounded out the scoring.

Game Notes

Green's homer was not only his first hit as a Yankee, but it also broke an 0- for-25 stretch at the plate.

Posada's homer was the 186th of his career, which moves him past Paul O'Neill for 13th on the all-time Yankee list...Tonight was Wright's shortest outing of the season.

Rodriguez's grand slam was the 13th of his career.

The eight runs scored by the Yankees in the third inning were the most scored by the club in an inning this season.

Reyes continued to collect three-base hits, driving his 11th triple to right in the second.

The Yankees start a four-game series in Cleveland on Monday.

The Mets come home for a four-game set with the Pirates beginning Monday.

© 2006 The Sports Network