Cleveland’s Hafner ties HR record

Travis Hafner hated to leave Anaheim so much, he was the last guy out of the shower in the Cleveland Indians’ clubhouse.

Hafner hit three homers to match a major league record with five in two games, leading the Indians to a 14-5 rout of the Anaheim Angels on Tuesday.

“Hitting three home runs is pretty special because it doesn’t happen very often — especially to me,” said Hafner, who had a three-homer game in Double-A ball and another in college. “I guess I can enjoy this one on the plane ride.”

Hafner, who went deep in the third, fifth and ninth innings, was the second player to hit three home runs Tuesday, joining St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols.

Hafner had two homers and five runs batted in during Monday night’s 8-5 victory — including a go-ahead, three-run shot in the 10th against Troy Percival.

“This is just a place that I’m really comfortable playing in and it’s got a good backdrop,” Hafner said. “I see the ball pretty good here and I was able to put some good swings on the ball.”

Hafner’s six RBIs gave him 11 in the two-game series, tying Earl Averill’s franchise record for a two-game span. Averill did it in a doubleheader against the Washington Senators on Sept. 17, 1930.

The last time two major league players hit three homers on the same day was Aug. 10, 2002, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That day, Sammy Sosa connected three times for the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field, and Philadelphia’s Mike Lieberthal did it in Los Angeles.

Twenty-six players have hit five homers in a two-game span, a feat accomplished 28 times. Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner and Mark McGwire each did it twice.

The last Cleveland player to do it was Manny Ramirez, on Sept. 15-16, 1998.

Jeter leaves game with injury

Derek Jeter sustained a bruised right wrist when he was hit on the back of the hand by a pitch from Victor Zambrano during the New York Yankees’ 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

X-rays taken at Tropicana Field were negative. A precautionary MRI exam will be performed in New York today.

Jeter was plunked leading off the sixth inning and scored when the next batter, Gary Sheffield, hit his 397th career homer for a 3-2 lead.

The six-time All-Star said he expects to be in the lineup when the Yankees begin a two-game series against Toronto Blue Jays tonight.

•The Yankees’ Kevin Brown allowed two runs on five hits in four innings in a rehabilitation start at Triple-A Columbus, Ohio.

Brown has been on the 15-day DL since June 10 with a lower back strain.

•The Yankees optioned left-hander Alex Graman to Columbus and recalled reliever Scott Proctor.

Piazza hurt in collision, Mets call up Wright

New York Mets first baseman Mike Piazza sprained his left wrist when a base runner collided with him as he reached for a throw in the second inning against the Florida Marlins.

Third baseman Ty Wigginton threw wide on a bunt by Juan Pierre, and the runner and ball arrived at first base at the same moment. Pierre hit Piazza’s left hand as the first baseman reached for the throw.

X-rays on Piazza’s wrist were negative. He will be reevaluated today.

After the game, the Mets recalled third baseman David Wright, the team’s top prospect, from Triple-A Norfolk.

Wright is expected to be in the starting lineup for today’s game against Montreal.

Clearing the bases

Former All-Star catcher Darren Daulton was arrested on a Sumter County (Fla.) warrant accusing him of missing a court hearing for a suspended driver’s license charge. … Mark Prior threw a five-inning, 73-pitch simulated game, feeling no pain in his tender right elbow while throwing to teammates. … Texas Rangers right-hander Joaquin Benoit was placed on the bereavement list so he could return to the Dominican Republic after the death of his grandmother. … Baltimore right fielder Jerry Hairston (upper right side) and second baseman Brian Roberts (throwing hand) left the Orioles’ game against the Royals after getting hurt. Both are listed as day-to-day.