Matsui, Yankees outslug Phillies

Posted Mar 26, 2009 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 27, 2009 at 11:18 AM

CLEARWATER - Hideki Matsui hit one of four New York home runs, offsetting consecutive long balls by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard off Joba Chamberlain.

Utley hit his second homer in two games and Howard connected for his seventh of the spring. Cody Ransom, Nick Swisher and Melky Cabrera also homered for the Yankees, who began experimenting with a new lineup — batting Derek Jeter leadoff and Johnny Damon second.

Lowe works six dominant innings for Braves
KISSIMMEE - The Atlanta Braves signed Derek Lowe to be their ace, and he’s pitching like one.

Lowe struck out seven in six sharp innings for the Braves, but the Toronto Blue Jays rallied for a 7-5 victory Thursday.

The Braves gave Lowe a four-year $60 million free-agent contract to lead the Braves’ revamped rotation. He gave up a run and five hits without walking a batter, lowering his spring ERA to 3.27. He has 24 strikeouts in 22 innings.

“He was good again,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “He’s had a terrific spring.”

Cox hasn’t decided on his opening day start, but Lowe is in line for the honor.

Zumaya likely shelved to start season
LAKELAND - Tigers manager Jim Leyland said oft-injured reliever Joel Zumaya is unlikely to start the season in Detroit.

The 24-year-old Zumaya has pitched in only one game this spring. He was considered for the closer job this season but felt soreness after an appearance on March 2 against Florida Southern College.

Leyland said “there is no timetable” for Zumaya’s return.

Prized prospect Rick Porcello, trying to earn the No. 5 spot in Detroit’s rotation, allowed a run and three hits with three walks in 2 1-3 innings. Curtis Granderson had a double and a homer in his return from the WBC.

Dioner Navarro had three hits for the Rays.

AP Wires were used in this report.