Willie Randolph was set to depart New York for a West Coast road trip still in charge of the Mets, while the Yankees headed back to the Big Apple without their staff ace.
Pedro Martinez pitched six sharp innings, pinch-hitter Robinson Cancel got his first major league hit in nearly nine years and the New York Mets beat the Texas Rangers 4-2 Sunday for a doubleheader split. Kevin Millwood led the Rangers to an 8-7 victory in the opener.
Before the first game, Randolph said he had no idea what combination of results in the twinbill was needed to remain the club’s manager.
“We wanted to make the trip a little more pleasant,” Randolph said afterward. “I’m glad I’m going.”
He then quickly added, “Maybe I’m speaking a little too soon.”
Things are just as uncertain for the Yankees and ace Chien-Ming Wang, who left the clubhouse on crutches after spraining his right foot running the bases in a 13-0 rout of Houston. An MRI exam is planned for Monday and manager Joe Girardi said Wang will miss at least one start.
“I feel sore,” Wang said through a Yankees spokesman. “Of course I’m disappointed. On Tuesday, when I know more, I will talk then.”
In other games Sunday, it was St. Louis 7, Philadelphia 6 in 10 innings; Cleveland 7, San Diego 3; Boston 9, Cincinnati 0; Colorado 5, the White Sox 3; the Chicago Cubs 7, Toronto 4; Detroit 5, the L.A. Dodgers 4; the L.A. Angels 2, Atlanta 0; Florida 9, Tampa Bay 3; Milwaukee 4, Minnesota 2; Oakland 5, San Francisco 3; Kansas City 8, Arizona 3; Washington 6, Seattle 2; and Pittsburgh 5, Baltimore 4 in 10 innings.
The Mets are heading west for the second time in two weeks and Randolph said his bags were packed for the trip. After returning from their last trip with two wins in seven games, rumors had intensified that Randolph could lose his job by the end of the series against Texas.
Evidently taking three of six from the Rangers and Diamondbacks was enough for now.
“These are our coaches today,” Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Sunday night. “They are our coaches. As the GM I leave myself room to evaluate things. I think we’re not playing to our potential. I always leave room to evaluate things.”
Martinez (2-0) gave up six hits and two runs – one earned – in his third start since coming off the disabled list on June 3 to win the second game, getting a big assist from the bullpen and Billy Wagner’s first save after blowing three straight chances.
Kason Gabbard (1-3) gave up eight hits and four runs in 5 2-3 innings for the Rangers.
The Mets’ bullpen wasn’t nearly as good in the opener, when the Rangers turned a 3-2 lead into an 8-2 advantage, giving Millwood (5-3) plenty of support.
John Maine (6-5) worked into the seventh, allowing five runs and seven hits for New York.
After pitching five scoreless innings, Wang (8-2) pulled up as he rounded third on Derek Jeter’s two-run single during the Yankees’ eight-run sixth. He hopped home and pointed to his right foot as he scored. A trainer rushed from the dugout and Wang was helped off the field.
“You wish for the best,” Jeter said. “It’s one of those things that you wish wouldn’t happen, but if he’s out for a while, we’re going to have guys step in and fill that void.”
Wang still earned his second straight win and is 5-0 in seven road starts this season, but will likely miss time just as the Yankees moved a season-best four games over .500.
Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer, his 185th as a Yankee, tying Paul O’Neill for 16th on the franchise list. Rodriguez reached 1,540 RBIs on the home run, passing Joe DiMaggio and tying Willie Stargell for 40th all-time.
Roy Oswalt (5-7) gave up seven runs on eight hits as the Astros lost for the ninth time in 11 games. Houston was swept for the second time this season and has lost six straight series.
“I was totally embarrassed by this,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “If you don’t play hard, you won’t play. Simple. We’re not going to settle for it anymore.”
Cardinals 7, Phillies 6, 10 innings
At St. Louis, Rick Ankiel scored from second on the Phillies’ second error at first base in the 10th inning, after Anthony Reyes (2-1) worked a perfect ninth for the win.
The game was interrupted when Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina collapsed after a collision at the plate. He was removed on a stretcher wearing a neck brace, but team officials said tests at the hospital showed no significant injuries.
Indians 7, Padres 3
At Cleveland, C.C. Sabathia (5-8) outpitched Greg Maddux (3-5) in a matchup of Cy Young winners, with Ben Francisco’s three-run homer and Grady Sizemore’s solo shot helping out.
Red Sox 9, Reds 0
At Cincinnati, Coco Crisp kept Boston’s depleted lineup rolling by driving in four runs, and Jacoby Ellsbury homered and stole two more bases for a Red Sox rookie record.
J.D. Drew, Ellsbury and Crisp connected off Homer Bailey (0-3), who has lost each of his three starts this season, and Josh Beckett (7-4) turned the big lead into another win.
Rockies 5, White Sox 3
At Chicago, Brad Hawpe hit a go-ahead home run, Aaron Cook earned his career-high 10th win in 13 decisions and Colorado survived a bases-loaded scare in the ninth.
Jose Contreras (6-5) couldn’t help the White Sox avoid their fifth loss in six games.
Cubs 7, Blue Jays 4
At Toronto, Ted Lilly (7-5) allowed one hit over six scoreless innings, Derrek Lee drove in three runs and Aramis Ramirez homered for the Cubs.
Chicago blew open the game with four runs in the seventh. Jesse Litsch (7-3) got the loss.
Tigers 5, Dodgers 4
At Detroit, Nate Robertson (5-6) pitched six shutout innings, Marcus Thames and Brandon Inge hit back-to-back homers and Detroit won its sixth straight.
Angels 2, Braves 0
At Anaheim, Calif., Casey Kotchman homered, Joe Saunders (10-3) pitched seven scoreless innings and Los Angeles avoided a sweep with a win over Atlanta.
Marlins 9, Rays 3
At St. Petersburg, Fla., Ricky Nolasco (7-4) came within one out of the first complete game of his career, and Mike Jacobs and Wes Helms hit three-run homers to power Florida.
Brewers 4, Twins 2
At Milwaukee, Mike Cameron hit a two-run homer, Seth McClung (4-3) allowed four hits and the Brewers snapped a six-game losing streak in interleague play dating to last season.
Athletics 5, Giants 3
At San Francisco, Eric Chavez had three hits and two RBIs to back Dana Eveland (5-5) and help Oakland complete its second consecutive sweep of San Francisco.
Kevin Correia (1-4), just off the DL, gave up five runs in 5 1-3 innings for the Giants.
Royals 8, Diamondbacks 3
At Phoenix, David DeJesus hit his first career grand slam and had a career-high five RBIs, ensuring the Royals didn’t squander a strong start by Gil Meche (4-8).
Micah Owings (6-5) went 5 1-3 innings, allowing a season-high seven runs and eight hits.
Nationals 6, Mariners 2
At Seattle, rookie Kory Casto’s pinch-hit, three-run homer off Mark Lowe (1-3) broke an eighth-inning tie to finish off the Nationals’ first three-game sweep since last September.
Pirates 5, Orioles 4, 10 innings
At Baltimore, Adam LaRoche singled in the tiebreaking run off George Sherrill (2-2) in the 10th inning, making a winner of Matt Capps (1-2) after he blew his third save in four games.
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