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Rays at Yankees

By KEVIN KELLY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 5, 2002

Rays at Yankees

TODAY: 1:05 p.m.

SATURDAY: 1:05 p.m.

SUNDAY: 1:05 p.m.

SCOUTING REPORT: The richest team in baseball -- payroll of $125.9-million -- won 16 of its final 18 spring games but split the first two games at Baltimore. Today will be the Yankees' home opener and Jason Giambi's first since signing a seven-year, $120-million contract to leave Oakland. In the first two games Giambi went 1-for-8, hitless in three at-bats with runners in scoring position and struck out three times Wednesday. The Yankees were 0-for-16 with runners in scoring position and hitting .194 entering Thursday. Pitcher Roger Clemens, injured when he tried to barehand a comebacker on opening day, appears on schedule to face the Rays on Sunday. Pitchers Sterling Hitchcock (lower back strain) and Ramiro Mendoza (neck strain) are on the disabled list. Both were expected to make appearances in extended spring games Thursday.

TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Owner George Steinbrenner and shortstop Derek Jeter are Tampa residents. Rays reliever Victor Zambrano spent two seasons as a Yankees minor-league infielder. Former Rays outfielder Gerald Williams is a backup. Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer is a longtime Treasure Island resident.

2001 SEASON SERIES: The Yankees were 13-6 against the Rays and lead the series 38-17. The Rays won four of their past six against New York after losing 11 of the first 13. The Yankees were 8-1 at home.

WHO'S HOT: Outfielder Shane Spencer was 3-for-8 (.375) with one double in the first two games.

WHO'S NOT: Catcher Jorge Posada was 0-for-8.