Santana makes Yanks pay

NEW YORK — Johan Santana made the Yankees pay for passing on him last winter.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner pitched efficiently into the eighth inning, and the New York Mets got home runs from Jose Reyes and David Wright to top the Yankees 7-4 Saturday in the opener of a rain-shortened Subway Series.

Billy Wagner got four outs for his ninth save in nine chances — one day after castigated manager Willie Randolph held a closed-door meeting in response to remarks by the Mets' closer that some perceived as critical of his teammates.

After clearing the air, the Mets clocked reliever Kyle Farnsworth. They got key throws from outfielders Ryan Church and Carlos Beltran, beating Andy Pettitte after Friday night's scheduled game was rained out.

Santana (5-2) served up three more homers but lasted 7 2/3 innings, his longest outing this year.

"I had a lot of fun," he said. "I'm very happy where I am right now.

The Yankees initially pursued the left-hander in the offseason, then decided to keep their top young pitchers rather than trade them to Minnesota. Santana was dealt to the Mets for four prospects instead, and the Yankees have yet to get a win from youngsters Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy this season.

"I wasn't trying to show anything. I'm just trying to do my job."

Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu homered, but little else went right for the Yankees (20-23) as they fell a season-worst three games under .500.

RED SOX 5, BREWERS 3 (1ST GAME); RED SOX 7, BREWERS 6 (2ND GAME): At Boston, Daisuke Matsuzaka remained unbeaten, holding Milwaukee to a pair of unearned runs and pitching into the seventh inning, and David Ortiz hit a three-run homer in the opener of a day-night doubleheader. Matsuzaka (7-0) tied the Angels' Joe Saunders for the AL lead in wins.

Jason Varitek added a pair of doubles for the Red Sox, who avoided matching their longest losing streak this season. Boston had lost its previous four games to close a 10-game trip.

In the second game, Mike Lowell hit a two-run homer and doubled in a pair of runs, and Boston survived a battle of bumbling infielders to complete a sweep of the day-night twin bill.