Carlos Delgado has 9 RBI game

Delgado's career day lifts Mets in Bronx
Slugger's nine RBIs rock Game 1 of split-stadium doubleheader
By Samantha Newman / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- Prior to the final Subway Series matchup at Yankee Stadium on Friday afternoon, Mets manager Jerry Manuel talked about his team's reliance on defense in recent games.

After the Mets lit up the Yankees for 15 runs in the first game of the split-stadium doubleheader, no one was talking about their defense.

In fact, the team committed three errors in a shaky defensive outing.

It didn't matter.

Carlos Delgado led the charge with a club-record and career-high nine RBIs, as the Mets (39-39) put on an offensive performance that erased any early mistakes on their way to a 15-6 rout of the Yankees. The win completed the Mets' first road season sweep of the Bombers (42-37), and signaled the first time the Mets have won three straight games at Yankee Stadium.

Delgado broke a tied game in the fifth inning with a two-run double, then broke things open in the sixth when he blasted a grand slam over the right-center-field wall. He followed it up with a three-run home run to right field in his next at-bat.

The veteran's 3-for-5 performance came after an 0-for-10 streak at the plate during the Mets' recent homestand.

"To have that freedom to swing that way he did for us today was a beautiful thing to see," Manuel said. "Here we are trying run and do all these things, and we've got that kind of power sitting there ready to explode, and he just put us on his back today."

After Delgado had a home run called back at Yankee Stadium on May 18, the slugger left no room for question about his two homers Friday, sending both clear over the walls.

The veteran has battled through an inconsistent season during the first 78 games, batting .235. But Delgado said he never gave up and takes his performance upon himself.

"It seems like I haven't caught a break this year," the slugger said. "But I don't complain. I figure that things are going to happen when you make them happen. You make adjustments, you go out there with the right approach, you swing at strikes and you kind of control your own fate."

And Delgado wasn't the only veteran who made big contributions Friday afternoon. Luis Castillo reached base safely in all five of his plate appearances, scoring each time for a career-high five runs. Twice he put himself in scoring position off stolen bases.

The performance pleased Manuel, who has made no secret that he wants consistent production from Castillo and Delgado.

"Those guys are the guys that have to play at a level that historically they've been at," the manager said.

Carlos Beltran and David Wright added to the offensive onslaught, driving in three runs each. Wright matched his career high with four hits, and Beltran knocked a two-run homer in the third inning to reclaim the lead.

The Mets used the success at the plate to recover from multiple defensive missteps that led to two blown leads. On separate occasions, Castillo and Beltran both miscalculated what appeared to be sure flyouts, deflecting balls to give the Yankees second opportunities.

But when Bombers starter Dan Giese (1-3) reached 96 pitches in the fifth inning, the Yankees were forced to look to their bullpen early, and the Mets lit up the relievers for nine hits and nine runs.

On the other side, Mets starter Mike Pelfrey (5-6) earned his third straight win despite a disjointed performance. The right-hander got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, but gave up four runs and eight hits through just five innings.

"I thought I threw OK," Pelfrey said. "I thought some of the hits weren't hit hard, but they were hit in the right spot. And I was definitely the beneficiary of 15 runs."

The victory came more than a month after the Mets' first two wins at Yankee Stadium, making up for a rainout on May 16, but the impressive run support is something Delgado said the Mets always strive for against their crosstown rival.

"You want to come in, especially with guys in scoring position -- you want to come up with a big hit," Delgado said. "You understand how big the Yankees and the Mets series are, and you want to contribute."