By MIKE PUMA
Last updated: 9:18 am
June 30, 2008
Posted: 3:15 am
June 30, 2008
Carlos Delgado didn't just leave a mark on this latest Subway Series, he practically dented the Nos. 4 and 7 trains.
The beleaguered first baseman carried the Mets Friday at Yankee Stadium, hitting two homers and establishing a franchise record with nine RBIs in Game 1 of the two-ballpark doubleheader. Yesterday, he blasted a Darrell Rasner pitch off the right-field scoreboard at Shea Stadium, helping the Mets to a 3-1 victory over the Yankees.
The rocket against Rasner was impressive, just not the best ball Delgado hit in the series: That status was reserved for the shot Delgado hit three-quarters of the way up the right-field bleachers in The Bronx on Friday.
"He was at second base and that ball was still flying," Carlos Beltran said of Delgado's first homer on Friday.
The season's first half has been largely forgettable for Delgado. Nevertheless, he reached the midway point with 14 homers and 45 RBIs. The Mets would almost certainly take the same statistics from Delgado in the second half, albeit with a batting average higher than .231.
"Obviously I want to be more consistent," Delgado said. "But it seems like I'm doing some things right, and I'm able to drive the ball, which is nice."
The Mets led 1-0 when Delgado came to the plate with nobody aboard and one out in the third. Delgado worked the count full against Rasner before connecting for his 445th career homer.
"Carlos has a lot of power, and if he makes contact, he's going to hit home runs," Beltran said.
Though Delgado struggled in the second and third games of the weekend series - both Mets losses - it's still hard to argue with three homers and 10 RBIs in four games against the Yankees.
That said, Delgado said he is happy the Mets are finished playing the Yankees for the season.
"It's a great series for the fans. It's pretty exciting, it's pretty intense," Delgado said. "But six games are more than enough."
mpuma@nypost.com
