Delgado, Ponson take turns

Slugger powers Mets; veteran carries Yankees

Bobby Abreu doubles as the Yankees split their split-ballpark doubleheader. (Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

Two ballparks, two blowouts. Call it even.

Sidney Ponson pitched a gem in his return to the New York Yankees, silencing Carlos Delgado and the rest of the New York Mets for a 9-0 victory last night and a split of their two-stadium doubleheader.

Delgado dominated the day game at Yankee Stadium. He set a Mets record with nine RBIs and hit a grand slam for one of his two homers in a 15-6 win.

After both squads got police escorts for their rush-hour bus trips to Shea Stadium, Bobby Abreu went 4 for 4 with a walk and three RBIs as the Yankees enjoyed a rout of their own. Ponson outpitched Pedro Martínez with six shutout innings, and the Bronx Bombers broke loose in Queens.

Robinson Cano homered and drove in three runs for the Yankees, who have won 10 of 14 overall. Derek Jeter extended his season-high hitting streak to 15 games with an RBI double.

Ponson pitched well for Texas this season but was cut for being a disruption to the team. The Yankees signed him to a minor league deal last week and he made one four-inning start at Triple-A Scranton before drawing last night's start.

Ponson (5-1), who pitched briefly for the Yankees in 2006, pumped his fist after wriggling out of a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the second. He loaded the bases in the third, too, then escaped again when Ramon Castro grounded sharply into an inning-ending double play.

The Yankees soon got to Martinez (2-2), who allowed six runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. Ponson pitched around five hits and four walks (one intentional). Kyle Farnsworth, Jose Veras, and Kei Igawa completed the eight-hitter.

Delgado got a huge ovation before his first plate appearance at Shea, but finished 0 for 2 with two walks. Delgado hit a two-run double off Edwar Ramirez in the fifth inning of the opener and his 12th career slam in the sixth, a long drive against Ross Ohlendorf that landed in one of the last rows of bleachers in right-center. Delgado added a three-run homer in the eighth off LaTroy Hawkins.

Delgado's nine RBIs were one better than Dave Kingman's total for the Mets June 4, 1976. Delgado's 44th multihomer game gave him 444 career home runs, breaking a tie with Kingman for 34th place.

Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer, scored four runs, and drove in three as the Mets swept a season series at Yankee Stadium for the first time.

After the first game, a makeup of a May 16 rainout, the Yankees placed Hideki Matsui (knee) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, and activated Ponson.

Indians 6, Reds 0 - C.C. Sabathia struck out 11 over eight strong innings, including his hero Ken Griffey Jr. three times, to help Cleveland beat visiting Cincinnati.

Grady Sizemore hit his 18th homer, drove in three runs, and made a spectacular catch for Cleveland.

Royals 7, Cardinals 2 - Alex Gordon drove in four runs with a homer and a bases-loaded double as Kansas City beat visiting St. Louis for its sixth straight win and 11th win in 12 games.

Rangers 8, Phillies 7 - Milton Bradley hit the tiebreaking home run and Chris Davis homered in his first major league start as host Texas beat slumping Philadelphia.

Dodgers 6, Angels 0 - Chan Ho Park shut out the Angels over his six innings and Andre Ethier hit a three-run homer as the host Dodgers beat Joe Saunders (11-4).

Nationals 4, Orioles 2 - Pinch hitter Kory Casto doubled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning and scored on a single by Elijah Dukes to carry host Washington.

Twins 7, Brewers 6 - Joe Mauer hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth to lift Minnesota over visiting Milwaukee for its 10th straight win - all against NL teams.

Mariners 5, Padres 2 - Jarrod Washburn won for the first time in eight starts as Seattle won in San Diego despite stranding a franchise-record 18 baserunners.

White Sox 10, Cubs 3 - Nick Swisher hit a grand slam to cap a seven-run third inning as the host White Sox finally beat their crosstown rivals this season.

Athletics 4, Giants 1 - Jack Hannahan drove in two runs as Oakland extended its winning streak against visiting San Francisco to seven games.

Tigers 7, Rockies 1 - Curtis Granderson was 4 for 5 with two triples as Detroit moved to one game under .500 for the first time since May 1.

Marlins 3, Diamondbacks 1 - Ricky Nolasco (8-4) pitched eight effective innings to lift Florida over visiting Arizona.

Braves 4, Blue Jays 0 - Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer as Atlanta won in Toronto.