Yankees find fans still talk about memorable Game 7
By Times Staff Writers Times Wires
Published March 29, 2004
CAMP ZAMA, Japan - Halfway around the world and half a year later, the question doesn't go away.
When the Yankees visited a U.S. Army base on Sunday, manager Joe Torre asked the crowd if there were any questions. The first dealt with Game 7 against the Red Sox.
"How happy was I when Grady Little left (Pedro Martinez) in the game?" Torre said, repeating the question for the crowd to hear.
Yup, they wanted to know about that eighth inning, when New York overcame a 5-2 deficit.
"I was happy only after I saw (Hideki Matsui) hit a double and then this guy knocked in the two runs to tie the game up," Torre said, motioning toward Jorge Posada. "At the time it happened, you never like anybody to stay in the game that you consider one of the best pitchers in baseball."
Posada, reliever Gabe White, catcher Joe Girardi and outfielder Ruben Sierra spent three hours at the base along with Torre and general manager Brian Cashman. They left Tokyo on two Black Hawk UH-60 Alpha helicopters. They spent most of their time at the base signing autographs for the servicemen and their families.
CLUTCH MOMENT: The story line of Matsui returning in a Yankees uniform to play Yomiuri, his former team, couldn't seem any more dramatic. Until one swing of his bat. The slugging outfielder made his return a smashing success, homering in his first at-bat as the Yankees won 6-2. Posada hit a go-ahead three-run homer, and Derek Jeter also homered.
DROPPED DOWN: Kenny Lofton, a leadoff hitter for most of his career, is being dropped to ninth for Tuesday's opener. "Right now, I don't think he is where he needs to be," Torre said of Lofton, who is 8-for-50 this spring. "No, he wasn't happy. No, he didn't yell. I know he's disappointed."
- TIMES WIRES, MARC TOPKIN
All regulars, All-Star start
CLEARWATER - Four days before heading north, the Phillies finally were able to play their starters.
Jim Thome played first base for the first time since breaking a finger on his right throwing hand March 5. Often-injured third baseman David Bell was in the lineup, and the Phillies' other six regulars were on the field as well as left-hander Randy Wolf, the team's only 2003 All-Star.
The result: The Phillies played their most complete game of the spring and ended a five-game losing streak 5-2 over the Blue Jays.
"It was by the book," said closer Billy Wagner, who struck out the side in the ninth. "That's what you hope for. We played great. The guys hit the ball well, and we played great defense."
One day after returning to the lineup as a designated hitter, Thome played five innings at first base although he was instructed not to throw.
Thome dived for a hard grounder in the first inning but didn't have to throw, which he has been doing only lightly on the practice field since being given clearance a week ago.
Mike Lieberthal went 4-for-4, including a two-run homer and run-scoring double, and the Phillies built a 5-2 lead for Wolf, who allowed two runs over six innings.
MORE CUTS: Pitcher Josh Hancock was optioned and pitcher Matt Squires, first baseman Jim Rushford and catcher Russ Jacobson were reassigned to the minor-league camp. The Phils have 36 players in camp and must get to 25 by 2 p.m. Sunday.
PHILLERS: Utility infielder Tomas Perez (sore right big toe) hasn't played in three days but expects to start Tuesday. ... The Phils have four spring games remaining, including at 7 tonight against Detroit in Clearwater. Vicente Padilla (2-0, 1.89) is scheduled to start for the Phils, Nate Cornejo for the Tigers.
- RANDY MILLER
Lilly pitches well
CLEARWATER - Ted Lilly took a giant step forward toward his regular-season start April 7 with 31/3 stellar innings against the Phillies.
Making his first start and just his second appearance this spring because of a wrist injury, Lilly gave up two hits and one run, didn't walk a batter and struck out two.
"I was pleased with it. I was glad I was able to work on all four of my pitches," Lilly said. "That was one of the key things to go out there and pitch like I would during a regular-season game. I need to start doing that. I'm a little bit behind, and I need to do those things to be prepared to pitch very soon."
Lilly, who said he felt no pain, will have just three outings before facing the Tigers in the regular season but believes that will be enough. His final tuneup will be Friday against the Reds, when he should be up to 65-70 pitches. Sunday, he threw 51. Against the Tigers, Lilly should be good for 75-80 pitches.
POWER SOURCE: Right-hander Josh Towers had a better day at the plate than on the mound. He became the first Jays pitcher with a hit, a single off the fence in rightfield.
"I missed it by about a foot, huh?" Towers said. "I told (teammate Simon Pond) this morning I was leaving the yard."
Towers pitched the final 42/3 innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits, then went to the bullpen for 15 to 20 additional pitches to get his pitch count up to 90.
