YANKEE NOTES

Manager Joe Torre’s lineup shakeup seems to have benefited more than one Yankee. While Bernie Williams hit second in the order and had two homers – including a fifth-inning grand slam – Williams’ vacated cleanup spot seems to agree with Shane Spencer.

Spencer, who has been getting the run of late in left field, went 3-for-4 last night with two singles and a double. Spencer is 8-for-his-last-19, and 18-for-his-last-57.

Last night marked the 11th two-homer game of Williams’ career, and his second of the season. Prior to last night, Williams had gone nine straight games without a home run or an RBI. It was the sixth time he’d homered from each side of the plate, also the second of this year.

He hit a righthanded solo shot in the fourth off lefty starter Jim Parque, and a lefty grand slam in the fifth off reliever Tanyon Sturtze. Williams became only the second Yank to switch-hit two home runs twice in a single season. Mickey Mantle had switch-hit two home runs twice in the 1955 and ’56 seasons.

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Roger Clemens notched his 251st win to tie Bob Gibson for 38th on the all-time list.

Scott Brosius (2-for-4) snapped an 0-for-11 slump with a second-inning double.

Infielder Clay Bellinger was a last-minute scratch with a sore left shoulder. Bellinger had been drilled in that shoulder by Chicago starter Cal Eldred in the fifth inning of Tuesday night’s 4-0 loss.

“We had to scratch him. He could have played, but he would had trouble going above his head,” Torre said. “He’ll be fine. It’s just a bruise.”

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With two runs in the first inning, the Yanks snapped a string of 18 straight scoreless innings at The Stadium. With Chuck Knoblauch‘s first-inning triple, they snapped a string of 27 straight innings without an extra-base hit.

The Yankees still weren’t sure when Jeter would be ready to return from his abdominal strain, but figure to know more after he tries to swing a bat for the first time during today’s off-day. If that goes well, he’ll take batting practice tomorrow night.

“He’s feeling better. He’ll pick up a bat [today],” Torre said. “We won’t see it, it’ll be inside. Maybe by Friday he can take a little batting practice.”

The club is still hopeful that with continued heat massage and treatment Jeter can be ready to return by Sunday’s game in Cleveland.

Jorge Posada made a cameo appearance at first base. He replaced Tino Martinez in the seventh with Chris Turner coming in to catch.

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After an off-day today, lefty Andy Pettitte (2-2, 4.61 ERA) opens a three-game series in Cleveland against lefty Chuck Finley (3-3, 3.98) tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. on MSG.