The Yankees gave away a game in Toronto last night. The other New York team was the beneficiary of another gift at Shea Stadium. Armando Benitez balked twice in the bottom of the 12th after the Giants had taken a lead allowing Jose Reyes to tie the score. Reyes was dancing down the third base line to set up the second one and a peeved Benitez then served up a home run to Carlos Delgado and, for once, a blown save by the closer actually sent Flushing fans home with a smile and a 5-4 win. It was Delgado's second blast of the game, his first coming off of esteemed youngster Tim Linecum who battled Oliver Perez to a 3-3 standstill in regulation. Delgado's questionable decision on a 12th inning grounder, however, allowed Omar Vizquel to score the go-ahead run but, thanks to the always charitable Benitez, he made up for his miscue.
- The Braves posted three runs on Ben Sheets in the first inning but lost John Smoltz in the fourth and the game 5-4 thanks to a throwing error by catcher Brian McCann. McCann tried to nab Ryan Braun stealing second on a strikeout but the bail sailed into center and J.J. Hardy trotted home with the key fifth run during a sixth inning rally. Smoltz left the game after slipping on the mound during his fourth inning warmup, just after he reaggravated a finger injury in his at-bat in the top of the frame. It's a bitch getting old.
- Josh Beckett returned from the disabled list and remained perfect on the season, moving to 8-0 in a 4-2 win over the Wigwammers. Kevin Youkilis followed his inside the park homer of Monday with a more traditional one on Tuesday and had his ninth straight multiple hit game in the middle of the Boston lineup. Beckett struck out seven and showed no ill effects of the finger issues that have bedeviled him throughout his career.
- The Yankees may need to borrow a page from the Texas Ranger book on how to snap a losing streak. The team screened the always inspirational Rocky IV before ending their six-game skid with a 4-0 win against the Athletics. "Hey, it’s a legendary movie," said Gerald Laird. "It’s the best Rocky film out. It’s just full of inspiring moments. It lifts you up. I may just watch it again tomorrow."
- The Diamondbacks pounded out 17 hits, four by Orlando Hudson, and cruised past the Phillies 11-5. The O-Dog drove in four runs as well to lead his mates to a sixth straight victory. Not having as good a day was the rookie third baseman Mark Reynolds. He collided with a pitcher while fielding a bunt, one day after both fouling a ball off and running a tarp into his leg, and had to leave the game for X-rays. Ryan Howard, the Phillie first baseman just back from the injured list, also left the game early after grabbing his previously injured leg but in the lone good news for the Phils it was said to be just a cramp.
(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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