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Show DAILY Sunday, March S, 2006 HERALD BASEBALL Schmidt, Sheets make springtraining debuts In otherspringtraining games: Jason Schmidt and Ben Sheets each took a promising first step as they work their way back frominjuries that curtailed their 2005 seasons. The Washington Nation- » Athletics (ss) 13, South Africa 1: At Phoenix, Freddie Bynum. scored three runs and had pitched twoscoreless innings to rout a South African team preparing for the World Base- OuttielderJose Guillen’ will not have wrist surgeryafter ball Classic. receiving a second medical » Diamondbacks(ss) 13, White Sox2: At Tucson,Ariz., Orlando Hernandezpitched two opinion Saturday that recom- mendedrehabilitation. Guillen led the teamwith 24 home runs last season. scoreless innings against the team he helped to a World Se- Makinghis spring training debut for San Francisco, Schmidt gave up two hits in threescoreless innings ofa 7-2 winover the Chicago Cubsin Scottsdale, Ariz. He struck out ment over last year.” said Schmidt. hindered bya tender groinlast season. “The changeuphas beendifficult to throw for me in Arizona, but it wasn't bad today. And I've always had thatslide step. but after coming off surgery it’s hard to speed.up mechanieally Schmidt was pleased with his outing. but most impressive to Giants managerFelipe Alou was the pitcher's quickness to the plate. enabling catcher Mike Mathenytonail speedy JuanPierre ona steal attempt. “That's the best thing I saw fram Schmidt.” Alou said. “If vour arm is not right. you're not going to be quick to the plate. That's as fast as I've ever seenhim doit. And he NAM Y, HUH /Associated Press Milwaukee pitcher Ben Sheets takes a warm-up throwagainst Oakland duringthe first inning at the Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, Ariz., on Saturday. league team,” Milwaukee manager Ned Yostsaid. “He didn’t meniscustear. second inning was much better than thefirst. He got in the running — notpitching. And Dr. Lewis Yocum..the surgeon throwanybreakingballs. His swingofthings.” Milwaukee is being cautious " with Sheets, who dropped out of the World Baseball Classic. “Knowinghe would be lit- O'Neal and Bakersaid the knee flares up when Woodis performingthe operation in Los Angeles, gave the OK to keep throwing. In Jupiter, Fla., the Marlins over 2'. inningsin his Texas debut. » Padres 17, Mariners 4: At Peoria, Ariz., Doug Mirabelli hit a three-run homer and San Diegofinished with 20hits: * » Angels5, Rockies 3: At Tempe, Ariz., Dallas McPherson tripled in two runs, and Adam Kennedy and Orlando Cabrera each had twohits. D Mets5, Nationals(ss) 4: At PortSt. Lucie, Fla., Aaron Cliff Floyd went2-for-3 with an RBI his fastball. You could see he left spring training to return was feeling good. He's right on home, managerJoe Girardi b Tigers (ss) 6, Italy 5: At Lakeland,Fla., Kenny Rogers tossed three hitless innings and Kody Kirkland doubled in the weall talked about. The sec- ond inning he had easylife on schedule.” Last seen Wednesday, Reese said. The Marlins had no con- baseman Pokey Reese remained mostly a mystery Saturday, with the team relieved he's safe but a pair of runs for the Mets and Myers,Fla., Sean Burnett wondering if he's gone for good. Last seen Wednesday, Reese left spring training to return scoreless inning for Pittsburgh. | home, managerJoe Girardisaid. The Marlins had nocontact Satur- treauhit a three-run homer and Ramon Vazquez added a threerun double to lead Cleveland. going on with our employee. At Dunedin, Fla., Abraham Nunez, Shane Victorino and Chris Roberson homered for ager Joe Girardi. » Nationals (ss) 10, Panama7: At Viera,Fla., Frank Diaz and » Braves 10, Astros 6: At Kissimmee,Fla., Martin Pradohit a bases-loaded double during fastballs and changeups. didn’t pitch after Aug. 26 last season becauseofa torn muscle behindhis right shoulder. “It wasbig for himto go ‘out in more of a formal situation, facing another major thestart of the season after undergoing surgeryonhis right shoulder on Aug. 31. Trainer Mark O'Neal said Wood began experiencing “a tapping pal- pable pain” on the upper béne of his thigh about a week ago and an MRI revealed a medial ese. The onlycontact from his agent wasa brief phonecall Fridayto allay concerns about Reese's safety, Beinfest said. Larry Broadwayeachhit a three-run homerfor the Nationals. Carlos Lee, Sherman | straight hits before grounding out in the third. hearfrom him in a reasonable amountoftime.” Beinfest said Marlins officials had nottried to reach Re- Sheets, who concentrated on » Marlins 9, Cardinals 0: At Bob Baum mowsdownforthe United States. their appearancesin round oneof the World Baseball Classic will be brief. Therulesinsist onit “I thinkthey're veryimpor- tant,” said Peavy, the San Di- egoright-hander whowill start can throwmorethan 65pitches, unlessit’s to complete the at-bat where he reaches No. 65. The numberrisesto 80 in the second round and 95 in the semifinals andfinals. b If a pitcher throws more than 50 pitches, he must have the next four days off. » If he throws more than 30, he musthave one dayoff. » Relieverscan pitch only two SpIeculve days without aday *] tant think it’s anything the U.S. openeragainst Mexico on Tuesday. “Obviously you we wouldn't have done anydon't want to tax yourbody. Yougetin the heat ofbattle and you're going to wantto ay in there when you prob- ably shouldn't.” This,afterall. is supposed to be spring training, when pitch- ers are slowly, methodically working their wayinto regu- lar seasonshape Amongtherules: » Nopitcherin round one how, to be honest with you,” US.pitching coach Marcel Lachemann. “We'vebeen in contact with every one of the organizations and each one ,of the pitching coaches as to wheretheir guys are at and what they would want them to. do. I would be'very surprised if we even cameto close to any of the pitch counts.” Therestrictions are a main reasontheU.S.rosteris so pitcher-heavy. Fourteen ofthe 30 playerson theroster are pitchers, 10 of them relievers. Five of them had 31 or more savesapiece last season. 's the depth:and the versatility it gives us,” Lachemann said. "We'vegot basically 10 guysthat can jumpin there anywhere.” Restrictionsor norestric- tions, there will be no holding back ontheintensityat a time of the year wherepitching appearances are normally low- key with no concern of wins orlosses. “Nobody's going to go out there and go half-speed with the ‘United States of America’ across yourchest,” Peavy said after Saturday's practice at ChaseField. “The boys are takinga lot ofpride in putting this uniform on. Obviously you can’t be foolish and maybe cost your seasonor your team ing to doit.” After two days of workouts, the U.S. team will face San Franciscoin an exhibition game on Saturdayat the Giants’springtraining facility in Scottsdale. The teams will young Marlins improveto 4-0 | a four-run sixth inning to lead “His doctorsaid it would be betterif he continued to throw until the surgery to keep his arm strength going,” manager Dusty Bakersaid Saturday. Baseball Classic with a win over Taiwan.Ichiro Suzuki had a hit and scored a run, and Hitoshi Tamurahit a three- Wood was expected to miss the start of the season after undergo- ing sueay onhis right shoulder on Aug. run homerin the first inning. » South Korea 10, China 1: At off the bench. Martinez said he more damageto his right knee by throwing off the mound on Monday — one day beforeheis scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery. roundof the inaugural World Rodriguez — oneof three Yankees on the squad — coming Reese, a two-time Gold Glove winneracquired by Florida in December,spentall of last season on thedisabledlist with the Seattle Marinersfollowing shoulder surgery. But there wasnoindication his shoulder bothered him in camp, Girardisaid. pitcher Kerry Woodis not risking Saturday's World Baseball Classic results start at third base, with Alex issues you haveto handle. I’m respectfulof that.” » Cubs: Throwing won't aggravate Wood's knee:At Scottsdale, Ariz., the Chicago Cubs insist » Japan 14, Taiwan3: At Tokyo, Japan advanced to the second Tamura, who had 31 homeruns last season for the Yokohama BayStars, connected off Taiwan starter Hsu Chu-chien for his second homerofthe series. ciated Press. Reese, who grew upin Columbia, S.C., has dealt with a succession of personal tragedies, beginning with the death of his fiancee Girardisaid. “Sometimes there are this spring under new man- play 10 inningsto allow U.S. manager Buck Martinez to use mostofhis players. Atlanta’s Chipper Jones will Theagent, “Sometimes people assumebe- Atlanta. Morgan Ensberg homered and Preston Wilson homeredfor Panama's national went2-for-2 in his first two at team. bats for the Astros. be morerespectful than that. Butif I feel like you can gofull borefor three innings,I'm go- Beinfest said. cause we're major league baseball players and we make a lot of money, there aren't issuesin yourlife,” Obandoand Manuel Rodriguez with aninjury. You've got to Reese's safety, ina carcrash 13 years ago. Jupiter, Fla., Miguel Olivo and Reggie Abercrombie each hit a three-run homer, helping the U.S.pitchers kept on short leash at Classic PHOENIX: — Nomatter how good Jake Peavyis or how manybatters Roger Clemens Fridayto allay concerns about Mike Nicotera, started the spring with five double off Randy Johnson. brief phonecall didn’t return calls from The Asso- Philadelphia. Ryan Howard what's going on with our em- tact from his agent was a es MLB NOTEBOOK » Phillies (SS) 9, Blue Jays 7: ployee. We'reall profession- Theonly con- § threw 2%: scoreless innings. his right knee. had nottried to reach Reese. ~~ had two RBIs and Terry Tiffee had three hits for Minnesota. Twins starter Scott Baker dergo arthroscopic surgery on als here. We would expectto Beinfest said Marlins officials » Twins(ss) 6, Devil Rays 1: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Lew Ford Brewers’ 9-7 victory over a Woodwasexpected to miss We'reall professionals here. We would expect to hear from him in a reasonable amountoftime.” D Indians(ss) 7, Twins (ss) 3: At Fort Myers, Fla., Andy Marte showed off his good glove, starting two crisp able plays at third base for Cleveland, two runsin twoinningsof the ies in Phoenix. day with Reeseorhis agent, general managerLarry Beinfest said. “We're waiting to hear from him,” Beinfest said. “As an employer, we'd like to know what's Winter Haven,Fla., Jake Gau- D Reds4, Yankees 1: At Tampa, Fla., Edwin Encarnacionhit a two-run homerand an RBI game-winning run with two outs in the ninth inning. JUPITER, Fla. — The unexcused took a short but significant D Indians (ss) 11, Tigers (ss) 8: At lieved he’s safe but wondering if he’s gone for good. Pokey Reese, with the team re- absence of Florida Marlins second » Pirates 7, Red Sox 6: At Fort » Rangers 9, Royals 8: At Surprise, Ariz., Adam Eaton al- hear from second baseman tle more geared up, he wanted to back off on his breaking ball,” Yost said. “It’s something ra threw two perfect innings, striking out two and not allowing a ball outofthe infield step back from reconstructive elbow surgery by pitching one Heilmanpitched twoscoreless innings, Jose Valentin drove in said they'restill waiting to Lauderdale, Fla., Daniel Cabre- riestitle last season. lowed two runs andfour hits Steven } Orioles 6, Dodgers 3: At Fort The Chicago Cubsinsisted tact Saturday with Reese or theyweren't riskingthe health his agent, general manager ofstarter Kerry Wood by alLarry Beinfestsaid. ‘We're waiting to hear from lowinghim to throw off the mound on Monday — one day him,” Beinfest said. “As an before heis scheduled to unemployer, we'd like to know - split squad of Oakland Athlet- rejoin Marlins Kelvim Escobar allowed twohits over three innings. fastballs and changeu Sheets pitchedin a for Milwaukeefor thefirst timesince August. allowing pitchedwell. throwing only home; uncertain whetherhe'll Venezuela 1, ee ee water, Fla, Miguel three RBIs, and Dan Meyer als also got some good news: one and walked none. It was adéfinite improve- Reese returns raterrk O'Neal said Wood began experiencing “a tapping palpable pain” on the upper boneof his thigh about a week ago and an MRIrevealed a medial meniscus tear. 0 Nosurgery for Guillen: At Viera, Fla., Jose Guillen will not to have Tokyo, Lee Seung-yeop hom- ered twice, drovein five runs andfinished with four hits to lead South Koreaintothe secClemenswill start today ond round. South Korea, which and throw twoinnings, with shutout Taiwan 2-0 Friday Al Leiter, a late addition after behindpitchers Jae-Weong Seo C.C.Sabathia pulled out, com- of the Los Angeles Dodgers ing on afterthat to throw two and Chan HoPark of the San more. Diego Padres, improved to 2-0. hasno plans to use Rodriguez at shortstop,at least at this stage of the competition. wrist surgery after receiving a second medical opinion Saturday that recommendedrehabilitation. After an MRI exam Friday in Viera, Dr. Edward St. Mary recommended theoutfielder have tendon surgery, an operation that would havesidelined Guillen for about three months. FORDCHAMPIONSHIP AT DORAL Woodsgets through wild day to take lead Doug Ferguson andhit his tee shot squarely behind a banyan tree. He played sideways to the first fairway, had the gallery moved out of harm’s way, took a drop away from the chalets, then deposited ‘ majestic 8-iron overeverything to 30 feet. And then he three-putted for double bogey and a 71 tofall three shots behind. MIAMI —- The shots wereflyingall overthe 18thhole at the Blue Monster, behind banyan trees and corporate chalets.in the wateron theleft and the opposite fairwayontheright, One guy made a 65-footputt for birdie. Another one missed a 3-foot putt to take double bogey. “Unfortunately, I a Ley a short Whatwasbilled as a showdown between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson turned into a circus Saturday afternoon until Woodsrestored order with a simplepar. Carving a 6-iron outofthe trees to steerclearofall the trouble around him, Woods escaped with a 4-under 68 to build a two-shotlead over Daniel Chopraand Rich Beemin the Ford Championshipat Doral. “I'm in good shape,I guess,” Woods said after an exhausting day in which WILFREDO LEE/Associated Press Tiger Woodshits out of asand trap on the 10th hole Saturday during the third he gothis mistakes out of the way ear- round of the Ford Championship at Doralin Doral, Fla. ly, recovering from a double bogeyat No.9 with three straight birdies on the back nine to emerge from the pack. bn we were on the fairway,” Woods wood into the gallery at No.10. Woodshadto wait 25 minutes on Indeed, there,was no shortageof the 18th tee while CamiloVillegas stud- aD would havehadto payforit, entertainment for a record crowd of ied his options. long enoughto order ~ because Mickelson was alreadyout iZza. $200 after giving a man moneyfor > Villegas ‘was oneshot out of the “Probably would havegotit breaking his watch with an errant 3lead, saw Woods atopthe leaderboard, — then slowly lost ground.Hefinished by hitting a 4-iron off barren land and onto the green, with enoughspin to sendit downtheslope,off the green and into the water. (‘Aninteresting day,” Mickelson said. “Obviously,it wasn’t whatI hoped. But the great thing about today was it was not the last day. There’s one more day tomorrow.” Asfor that pairing with Woods? one there to go home,” “Because it was not the final round, D Chopra was lost in er= and I wasn'treally concerned,” Mickelson hoping to make par when he grabbed saidafterhis 73. “I should be now. I'm a Siron and looked for a way out.He four back, and I've got tomakea run wentunderonetree, over another,left‘ tomorrow.” of a third three and right of a fourth When the zaniness subsided as ie trée, barely on the green. Then he orange glow of the sun behin« made birdie with a re oneut for 68. the clouds, Woods was atop the ae “The ideal finish,” he erboard at 17-under 199 andpoised to D Mickelson was tied. forthe lead win for the secondstraight year at the after nine holes when Woods made Blue Monster. his double bogey, and thought everyWoods is 33-3 on the PGA Tour thing was falling his way when he when he has at least a shareof the 54overcooked his 3-wood into the gallery hole lead. andit took a toward Instead of Mickelson athis side the green.‘Then he foundthemanhe today, Woods will be paired with Chohit, and hoticed his watch was broken. pra, who birdied twoof his last three Lefty ie Ewo $100 bills from his holes and was at 15-under 201. Also —_bag to pay twoshots behind was Beem,the for“It vas ‘aRoker," a Mickelson said. It wasn't his day, either. Hehit a pedestrian pitch an two-puttedfor par, eeae ees pte eee mer PGA ion, who was terrified of the Blue Monster's closinghole until he birdied it for a 69. x : |