Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — Time passed quickly for Sid Fernandez.
"It doesn’t feel like I missed three years," he said yesterday after pitching a perfect fifth inning in the New York Yankees’ 10-5 win over the Atlanta Braves.
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| In his first game appearance since 1997, Fernandez pitched one inning and retired all three Atlanta batters he faced.
Associated Press |
Fernandez was making his first game appearance since retiring in 1997. He is with the Yankees on a minor league contract, trying to win a spot as their fifth starter or as a reliever.
"I was a little nervous, but I calmed down once I got out there," he said. "It felt good to be on the mound again. To me, it’s just like I’m settling into another spring training."
Fernandez, who took over No. 36 from David Cone, received a loud ovation from the crowd of 10,228 at Legends Field. When he was with the New York Mets, he wore No. 50 in honor of his home, the 50th state of Hawai‘i.
"The only thing that feels different is when he said ‘36,’ " Fernandez said. "I was looking around for somebody else."
Fernandez, 38, retired Wes Helms on a fly to left, Rafael Furcal on a popup to first and Dave Martinez on a grounder to shortstop.
"Three up and three down. That’s a good first step," Yankees manager Joe Torre said.
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