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, yesterday in the opener of a rain-shortened Subway Series.

"I think we showed today how to play as a team," Santana said.

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 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's scheduled game was rained out.

"You couldn't draw it up any better for all the negativity that's been going on," Wright said.

Santana (5-2) served up three 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," Santana said.

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.

Cardinals 9, Rays 8: Ryan Ludwick hit his second home run of the game off Dan Wheeler in the bottom of the 10th inning, allowing St. Louis to recover after squandering a four-run cushion in a victory over Tampa Bay. Albert Pujols also homered and had two RBIs a day after his 42-game streak of reaching base ended.

Reds 4, Indians 2: Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth off Masa Kobayashi, rallying Cincinnati to its season-high fifth straight victory. Bill Bray (1-0) pitched out of a scoring threat in the ninth to get the win.

Dodgers 6, Angels 3: Blake DeWitt hit a two-run homer in the second inning and the visiting Dodgers handed Ervin Santana (6-1) his first loss of the season. Santana gave up four runs on five hits in six innings. He walked three, hit a batter and struck out five.

Athletics 5, Braves 4: Jack Cust hit a solo home run and Ryan Sweeney added a three-run shot as visiting Oakland held on to beat Atlanta to end a season-worst four-game losing streak.

Rangers 6, Astros 2: Milton Bradley and Marlon Byrd hit two-run homers early and host Texas clinched its seventh consecutive series by beating Houston. The last time the Rangers won seven series in a row was 1999, the season they won their last AL West title.

Orioles 6, Nationals 5: Nick Markakis homered and drove in three runs and Brian Burres (4-4) pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning as host Baltimore beat Washington for its fourth straight victory. Burres allowed two runs, walked two and struck out three in 6 2/3 innings as the Orioles won for the seventh time in eight games.

Blue Jays 6, Phillies 3: Rod Barajas hit two homers, including a grand slam, and A.J. Burnett (4-4) pitched 6 1/3 impressive innings as visiting Toronto beat Philadelphia. Burnett allowed two runs and four hits, striking out eight.

Marlins 7, Royals 3: Wes Helms hit a three-run, pinch-hit homer and Mike Jacobs added a two-run shot in the seventh inning, helping host Florida beat Kansas City to snap a season-high four-game losing streak. The Marlins also denied Kansas City its first six-game winning streak since beginning the 2003 season with nine straight victories.

Tigers 3, Diamondbacks 2: Carlos Guillen hit a two-run single and Matt Joyce homered to help visiting Detroit snap a five-game losing streak. Armando Galarraga (3-1) allowed two runs and one hit in six-plus innings.

RED SOX SWEEP BREWERS: Mike Lowell hit a two-run homer and doubled in a pair of runs, and host Boston survived a battle of bumbling infielders to beat Milwaukee, 7-6, and complete a sweep of a day-night doubleheader. The teams' infielders combined for seven errors in the nightcap — four by the Brewers — the most in a game this season. In the opener, Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-0) held Milwaukee to a pair of unearned runs pitching into the seventh inning, and David Ortiz hit a three-run homer to help the Red Sox beat the Brewers, 5-3.

Rockies 3, Twins 2: Ryan Spilborghs hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and host Colorado overcame Livan Hernandez's strong outing to end a six-game losing streak. Hernandez (6-2) retired the first 15 batters he faced. He allowed eight hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings, and drove in a run with a bunt.

White Sox 3, Giants 1: Mark Buerhle won the matchup of struggling starters, pitching into the seventh inning to lead visiting Chicago over San Francisco. Buerhle (2-5) ended a five-game losing streak by allowing one run on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out one. Barry Zito (0-8) worked five innings and gave up only two runs, but allowed eight hits and a season-high six walks.

Mariners 4, Padres 2: Adrian Beltre snapped a month-long slump with a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning, and host Seattle scored three runs in the seventh to beat San Diego.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pirates 7, Cubs 6: Nate McLouth hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Carlos Marmol in the ninth to help visiting Pittsburgh overcome Alfonso Soriano's second straight two-homer game. Freddy Sanchez beat shortstop Ryan Theriot's throw to first on a grounder up the middle with one out before McLouth's drive off Marmol (1-1) helped Pittsburgh win for the ninth time in 12 games.