By Times staff writer, Associated Press
Published April 4, 2004
TAMPA - Bernie Williams went 1-for-3 and drove in a run in his first major-league spring training game this year in the Yankees' 7-7 tie in 10 innings Saturday with the Tigers.
Williams had played in eight minor-league games since having his appendix removed Feb. 26. He grounded out in his first two at-bats and had a run-scoring single to center in the fifth.
"I think I'm ready for the every-game grind," Williams said.
Manager Joe Torre anticipates Williams will play when the Yankees resume the regular season Tuesday at the Rays.
Yankees starter Jose Contreras allowed six runs and 10 hits over 42/3 innings in his last outing before his first regular-season start Friday against the Chicago White Sox. He threw 94 pitches.
Tony Clark and Darren Bragg homered for the Yankees.
Bobby Higginson and Ivan Rodriguez homered for the Tigers. Rondell White had a two-run double.
Kenny Lofton was the Yankees' designated hitter with Williams starting in center and went 0-for-1 with a sacrifice fly.
Torre said Lofton will hit leadoff Tuesday. He had batted ninth during the Japan trip.
Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi played in the field after being the DH in the second Japan game because of a sore knee. He expects to play first in both upcoming games against the Rays.
QUICK HITS: Pitcher Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez threw batting practice at the team's minor-league complex for the first time since shoulder surgery in May. ... First baseman Travis Lee (shoulder) could resume throwing today.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shhhh! Jays are optimistic
DUNEDIN - The Blue Jays boarded their plane after Saturday's final spring training game with a sense of quiet optimism.
Their season starts Monday at home against the Tigers. The Jays believe they can compete against the Yankees and Red Sox.
"I think if we keep ourselves close, and we should be able to tell where we're at by the All-Star break, then if we can hang in there and stay with those teams we have a chance to make a push," said Roy Halladay, the opening-day starter. "It's going to be tough to beat New York and Boston to get in, but I think we can do it."
Manager Carlos Tosca anticipates improvement.
"On paper we're a better team than we were last year," Tosca said. "We're better not only from the acquisitions we picked up in the rotation and the bullpen but also because our younger guys like (Reed) Johnson, (Orlando) Hudson and (Eric) Hinske have another year under their belt so they're not as wide-eyed as they were."
FINE TUNING: Ted Lilly and Pat Hengten completed their final tuneups to mixed results.
Lilly battled his control in his 41/3 innings while Hentgen looked crisper in his two innings than he has in his past two starts.
"I felt pretty good, and my endurance was pretty good, but my command wasn't like I'd like at this point," said Lilly, who gave up four hits and four runs, three unearned, while walking two and striking out three.
Lilly's next appearance will mark his first regular-season start, against the Red Sox Friday in Fenway. In that game he'll have an 80-pitch count.
Hengten gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, but retired the next three. In his second inning he gave up one hit, a walk and no runs. He is scheduled to start the third game of the opening series against Detroit at SkyDome.
APRIL WOES: Over the past two seasons, Halladay has just one victory in 11 combined starts in April.
SECOND STRAIGHT: Halladay's start will be the first time a Jay has pitched consecutive season openers since Jack Morris in 1992 and '93.
