NEW YORK — Here's the scenario: The bases are loaded in a tie game. Fans are chanting, "We want Pedro!"

What does New York's beleaguered manager Willie Randolph do? He calls on a pinch-hitter who last played in the major leagues almost nine years ago.

That pinch-hitter, Robinson Cancel, helped make Pedro Martinez a winner in his home season debut by grounding a two-run single to give the Mets a 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers yesterday for a doubleheader split.

"I just felt like we had to take a crack at it," Randolph said. "Cancel made me look good for a minute."

Perhaps not good enough. After the game, Mets general manager Omar Minaya would not commit to repeated questions about Randolph's job security, saying, "These are our coaches today. They are our coaches. As the GM I leave myself room to evaluate things. I think we're not playing to our potential. I always leave room to evaluate things."

In the opener, Ramon Vazquez, Ian Kinsler and Milton Bradley homered in the Rangers' 8-7 victory.

Billy Wagner ended his skid of three straight blown saves and David Wright had three hits for his first multihit game in two weeks for the Mets in the second game. Carlos Beltran followed up a homer and two RBIs in the first game with a run-scoring single as New York took two of three from Texas before heading for California.

The Mets are heading West for the second time in two weeks and Randolph said his bags were packed for the trip. But after returning from a 2-5 West Coast swing, including a four-game sweep by the lowly Padres, rumors intensified that Randolph could lose his job by the end of the series against Texas.

"We wanted to make the trip a little more pleasant," Randolph said of the win. "I'm glad I'm going."

He then quickly added, "Maybe I'm speaking a little too soon."

Martinez was making his first start at Shea Stadium since Sept. 27 and the fans showed him their love with the chant when his turn came with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. But Martinez knew what the right decision was.

"I think that was my Father's Day gift from the fans," Martinez said. "I was laughing because that situation called for a pinch-hitter."

Fans mercilessly booed the decision as Cancel walked to the plate for his second at-bat this season. But he quickly turned the crowd around by calmly grounding an 0-2 pitch up the middle for a two-run single and a 4-2 lead. The hit was Cancel's first since Sept 21, 1999, for Milwaukee against Philadelphia, his only previous stint in the big leagues.

Martinez (2-0) gave up six hits and two runs — one earned — in his third start since coming off the disabled list on June 3.

INDIANS 7, PADRES 3

C.C. Sabathia outpitched Greg Maddux in a matchup of Cy Young winners, and host Cleveland defeated San Diego. Sabathia (5-8) struck out 10 and allowed three runs and six hits over eight innings. Maddux (3-5) fell to 0-2 in seven starts since May 10.

YANKEES 13, ASTROS 0

Chien-Ming Wang (8-2) pitched five scoreless innings before spraining his right foot running the bases in New York's rout of host Houston. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wang would undergo tests today to determine the severity of his injury.

RED SOX 9, REDS 0

Coco Crisp drove in four runs, and Jacoby Ellsbury homered and stole two bases for a Boston rookie record of 33 in a victory over host Cincinnati.

ROCKIES 5, WHITE SOX 3

Brad Hawpe hit a go-ahead home run and Aaron Cook earned his career-high 10th win as visiting Colorado beat Chicago. Cook (10-3) allowed three runs and 10 hits while striking out three and walking two in six innings.

CUBS 7, BLUE JAYS 4

Ted Lilly (7-5) allowed one hit over six scoreless innings and Derrek Lee drove in three runs as Chicago beat host Toronto

TIGERS 5, DODGERS 4

Nate Robertson (5-6) pitched six shutout innings and Marcus Thames and Brandon Inge hit back-to-back homers as host Detroit won its sixth straight.

MARLINS 9, RAYS 3

Ricky Nolasco (7-4) came within one out of the first complete game of his career, and Mike Jacobs and Wes Helms hit three-run homers as visiting Florida beat Tampa Bay. Nolasco allowed three runs and six hits. The right-hander struck out a career-high 12 and walked one.

BREWERS 4, TWINS 2

Mike Cameron hit a two-run homer and Seth McClung (4-3) scattered four hits in six innings as host Milwaukee snapped a six-game losing streak in interleague play dating to last season. Minnesota starter Scott Baker struck out four in the third inning, becoming the first Twins pitcher to accomplish the feat. Baker started the inning by striking out Ryan Braun swinging, then got Prince Fielder to strike out, but the ball bounced far away from catcher Mike Redmond. That allowed Fielder to reach first on the wild pitch. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron looking on three pitches apiece to end the inning.

PIRATES 5, ORIOLES 4

Adam LaRoche singled in the tiebreaking run off George Sherrill (2-2) in the 10th inning as visiting Pittsburgh beat Baltimore to end a run of seven straight interleague defeats.

ATHLETICS 5, GIANTS 3

Eric Chavez had three hits and two RBIs to help host Oakland complete its second consecutive sweep of San Francisco.

ROYALS 8, DIAMONDBACKS 3

David DeJesus hit his first career grand slam and had a career-high five RBIs to help visiting Kansas City beat Arizona.

NATIONALS 6, MARINERS 2

Rookie Kory Casto's pinch-hit, three-run homer off the foul pole broke an eighth-inning tie and led visiting Washington past Seattle.

ANGELS 2, BRAVES 0

Casey Kotchman homered and Joe Saunders (10-3) pitched seven scoreless innings as host Los Angeles avoided a sweep by beating Atlanta.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

CARDINALS 7, PHILLIES 6

Rick Ankiel scored from second on Philadelphia's second error at first base in the 10th inning, giving host St. Louis the win. Ankiel reached with two outs on second baseman Chase Utley's wild throw to reliever Tom Gordon, who was covering the bag. After Troy Glaus singled, Gordon (5-4) again had to cover the bag on Chris Duncan's grounder between first and second. He missed the ball as he ran across the base.