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Perez baffles Yankees as Mets win subway series opener

May 19, 2007 - 4:01 AM FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Oliver Perez had a favorable first taste of the Subway Series.

Perez pitched 7 2/3 solid innings to outduel Andy Pettitte and Endy Chavez hit a two-run homer one pitch after a bunt sign was removed as the New York Mets edged the New York Yankees, 3-2, in the opener of a three-game series.

Chavez also threw out a runner from left field for the Mets, who have won eight of their last 10 games.

"I was excited to be part of it," Perez said. "I just relaxed and made my pitches."

The Yankees lost for the sixth time in eight games despite a two-run homer by Hideki Matsui.

The Yankees have generally entered the annual Subway Series as the more prominent team in New York, but the 2007 edition has a different feel. The Mets are in first place in the National League East while the Yankees entered the contest 9 1/2 games off the pace in the American League East.

The trend continued Friday thanks to Perez, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates last July and was making his first appearance in the series. Perez (5-3) labored through the first and allowed the home run to Matsui in the fourth, but was in control the rest of the way.

"He's a kid that likes this kind of excitement, he channels it well," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "He's holding up his part of the bargain. Every time I challenge him, he battles out there."

Perez, who allowed just two hits in 8 1/3 innings in his previous start against the Milwaukee Brewers, was nearly as good in this one, surrendering two runs and five hits with two walks and five strikeouts. He left after retiring the first two batters in the eighth. Joe Smith relieved and struck out Derek Jeter.

Billy Wagner worked around a one-out hit to Matsui for his 10th save in 10 opportunities.

Pettitte (2-3) was again part of the Subway Series after three years with the Houston Astros. The veteran lefthander pitched seven strong innings, allowing three runs and five hits, falling to 7-3 lifetime against the Mets.

"It's our job to pick up the guys when they aren't hitting," Pettitte said. "They carried us through the first month."

Perez escaped the first without allowing a run despite allowing a run and a pair of walks.

He was helped out by left fielder Chavez, who threw out Johnny Damon trying to advance a single to the double to open the game.

The Mets manufactured a run off Pettitte in the first. Jose Reyes singled, went to second when Damion Easley walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Delgado.

The Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Jorge Posada singled with one out to extend his hitting streak to 13 games and Matsui homered to right field.

Chavez regained the lead for New York in the fifth, belting a two-run that scored Lo Duca, who had doubled. Chavez tried to bunt the previous pitch, but Randolph took off the bunt sign and Chavez delivered a home run.

"When he took the sign off, I just tried to play small ball and hit a ground ball to second base," Chavez said. "Pretty good swing, pretty good contact."

It was the first homer of the season for Chavez and just third of his career against lefthanders. He has 13 against righthanders.

The home run also came as a surprise to Pettitte.

"I thought he was going to bunt," Pettitte said. "It's almost embarrassing to say that because I shouldn't think it. I was trying to throw a heater up and in."

The home run sent the Yankees to another defeat, leaving them to again answer numerous questions as to when their fortunes will change.

"Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day," Damon said. "It's not a matter of if. It's a matter of when."

The Yankees fell to 32-23 against the Mets in the regular season since interleague play began in 1997.