Matsui went 2-3 on the day with a single and two walks. He struck out
looking in his final at bat of the game. The Yankees also got runs on a
Jason Giambi double and homeruns by Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada.
Jose Contreras started the game for New York and made short work of the
Yomiuri offense. The big right-hander from Cuba struck out six Giants in
five innings, including the first three batters of the first inning. He
allowed just one run on three hits. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth
inning and allowed the other run.
The big story was Matsui however, who returned to the place where he became a
national superstar. As a member of the Giants, Matsui won three MVP awards
and hit 50 homeruns in the season before he came to the Major Leagues. He
was cheered wildly in each of his at bats, a break in tradition for the Japanese
fans who never cheer for the away team. The crowd also booed both times
that Matsui was walked. They wanted to see him hit.
The Yankees will play the Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game on Monday
before opening the regular season against the Devil Rays on Tuesday.
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