(My Sportsbook) - Hideki Matsui and Jim Thome both clubbed homers during their spring training debuts on Thursday. Matsui, a three-time MVP in Japan's Central League, signed a three-year contract with the Yankees in December and most of the focus has been on him this spring. His at-bats were actually broadcast live in high-definition television back in Japan in the early morning hours there. Matsui went 1-for-3 in Thursday's game, but New York fell to the Cincinnati Reds, 9-3. He grounded out in his first at-bat in the second inning, but then came to the plate with a man on first with two outs in the third. He then belted a 3-2 pitch from Jimmy Anderson over the wall down the right field line. Thome homered in his first at-bat in a Philadelphia uniform, as the Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-3. Thome, who left the Cleveland Indians and signed a six-year deal worth a guaranteed $85 million with an option for a seventh season with the Phillies, belted an 0-1 changeup from Jeff D'Amico over the wall in left field in the first inning. |
