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Mussina no-hits Pirates over four

TAMPA - Mike Mussina did not allow a hit in four scoreless innings, and the Yankees beat the Pirates 5-3 Sunday.

He retired 12 straight after walking leadoff hitter Tike Redman in the first inning. Mussina struck out two and walked one. Mussina threw just 37 pitches, including 25 strikes.

"Not enough work almost," Mussina said. "In the midst of the season, you hope for days like this."

Bubba Crosby, bidding for a backup outfield spot, hit a three-run homer.

BRIEFLY: Jon Lieber (right groin) is doubtful for the start of the season, so Donovan Osborne could be the No.5 starter. ... Enrique Wilson extended his hitting streak to nine games. ... Closer Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth and has not allowed a run in six innings. ... Kenny Lofton (right quadriceps muscle) went 1-for-3 after missing two games. ... Catcher Jorge Posada (stomach virus) will sit out today.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

WINTER HAVEN - It wasn't one of the more memorable spring training games of Pat Hentgen's career, but fortunately for the veteran, he has a short memory.

Hentgen, in his third start, gave up five hits and five runs without getting out of the first inning. The Jays lost 7-4 to the Indians.

"I was struggling to locate all my pitches," he said. "You leave the ball thigh high out over the plate you're going to get whacked, and that's what I did."

Hentgen called the afternoon an embarrassment. But unlike his first stint in Toronto, he said he no longer lets a bad game eat him up.

"I used to get really upset about it after games, but I just don't do that anymore," he said. "You look at things differently after you have your first child."

POND DENIED: When is a home run not a home run? Sunday's answer: When the umpire gets blocked out. Simon Pond appeared to have stroked his second homer of the spring in the fifth inning off Jake Westbrook when his shot hit the leftfield foul pole. Spring training games have only a three-man umpire crew, so the call was left to home-plate umpire Jerry Layne. Layne told Jays manager Carlos Tosca he never saw the ball hit because his view was blocked.

FILE THIS ONE AWAY: Right-hander Bob File, who missed most of the 2003 season after shoulder surgery, looked strong in two scoreless innings and is in the mix to head north with the team.

BRIEFLY: Left-hander Ted Lilly (left wrist) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen Tuesday. ... Outfielder John-Ford Griffin (right wrist) is waiting until the swelling goes down for X-rays.

- MIKE GANTER

SARASOTA - By losing 4-2 to Cincinnati on Sunday, the Phillies have dropped five of six to fall to 5-7. Manager Larry Bowa does not care much about wins and losses in March, but he is mildly concerned they are averaging 2.83 over their past six.

"We're not swinging the bats very well right now, and we haven't faced elite pitching yet," Bowa said. "When you look at the elements with the wind blowing out and the infields hard, you'd think we'd get three or four runs that way. We're not."

Because of injuries to third baseman David Bell and first baseman Jim Thome, their regular lineup might not play together until the final week of spring training.

LOOKING GOOD: Amaury Telemaco and rookie Ryan Madson are the early favorites to win the two openings in the bullpen. David Coggin is another contender, but his velocity is down.

UP NEXT: Kevin Millwood (bruised left shoulder) is scheduled to start today against the Yankees at 1:05 Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater. Closer Billy Wagner (sore finger) is scheduled to make his debut with an inning of relief.

- RANDY MILLER