Yankees suffer historic first defeat in Japan
Mon Mar 29,10:17 AM ET Add U.S. National - AFP to My Yahoo!
TOKYO (AFP) - New York Yankees suffered their first ever defeat in Japan losing to Central League champions Hanshin Tigers 7-11 in an exhibition match on the eve of the Major League Baseball season-opening series.
But team manager Joe Torre promised that the star-studded Yankees would play better against Tampa Bay Devil Rays Tuesday and Wednesday and show a game worthy of the team's payroll which is close to a major league record 200 million dollars.
It will be MLB's second season-opener in Japan, following a two-game series between New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2000.
Last year, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics were slated to play a series in Japan before the games were cancelled at the last minute due to the tense global climate surrounding the war in Iraq (news - web sites).
For the Yankees, it is their first visit to Japan in 49 years when they toured against Japanese teams finishing 15 wins and a draw.
It is also a chance to showcase star outfielder Hideki Matsui after the Japanese slugger's stellar first MLB season in which he hit .287 with 16 homers and 106 runs batted in 163 games.
Matsui signed with the Yankees at the beginning of the last season after hitting 50 home runs in his final campaign in Japan.
"Today's game wasn't too good for us, but it's just a question of how much pitching dominate," said Torre after suffering the Yankees' first defeat in Japan.
"Last night we had really fine pitching and we were able to win (against Yomiuri Giants). Today we had a tough day with the pitching."
Torre added that he was pleased with the two tune-up games which have eased his players back into competitive mode.
The opening games will be played on the artificial field of the Tokyo Dome with Escalona Jeter expected to line up as the first hitter and Matsui second.
Matsui, who celebrated his first home-coming game Sunday against his old club Giants by hitting a solo home run, appeared cautious about playing on the artificial field where he played for 10 years before going to the US.
"A grounder never loses its speed, because of the artificial field, you must be careful," said Matsui.