NEW YORK, May 2 (UPI) -- Todd Zeile had three hits Friday night, including his third home run, and David Wells pitched seven innings as the New York Yankees posted a 5-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
Zeile has been accustomed to watching the Yankees end his season, losing postseason series to New York in 1996, 1998, 1999 as well as the 2000 World Series. He signed as a bench player in the offseason and got his fourth start at third base in place of Robin Ventura.
Oakland starter Ted Lilly (2-2) cruised through the first two innings before Zeile deposited a 1-1 pitch deep over the left field fence to tie the game, 2-2. Lilly made his first start against his former team since the Yankees dealt him to Oakland last season in a three-way deal that brought Jeff Weaver to New York.
Wells (4-0) won for the 16th time in his last 18 decisions after allowing two runs and five hits. He became the first lefthander to defeat Oakland this season.
New York took advantage of a tiring Lilly in the sixth inning to take the lead for good. Bernie Williams walked to lead off the inning and rookie Hideki Matsui walked before Lilly set down the next two hitters. But a walk to Bubba Trammell loaded the bases and Lilly exited in favor of Chad Bradford.
Ventura pinch hit and walked on five pitches to force in a run. Bradford also walked pinch hitter Nick Johnson in the seventh inning with the bases loaded.
Matsui had an RBI single in the seventh -- after an intentional walk to Williams. He also made two outstanding catches, including a lunging grab of Scott Hetteberg's foul fly to end the top of the seventh.
