Yankees down Red Sox, 9-2
By Ronald Blum
Associated Press
NEW YORK — The tallest Yankee ever began the big task of putting the Boston Red Sox back in their place.
Ray Stubblebine • Associated Press
Randy Johnson shut down Boston in his New York debut, dominating his new team's old rival. He outpitched David Wells, got help from Hideki Matsui and a rejuvenated Jason Giambi and led the Yankees over the World Series champions, 9-2, last night in the major league opener.
The New York Yankees' Randy Johnson allowed one run in six innings against the Boston Red Sox.
"I was pretty excited to go out there," said Johnson, who remembered how fans cheered him when he walked out to the bullpen to warm up.
Already, there were bad omens for the Red Sox: Matsui leaped in left to rob Kevin Millar of a two-run homer in the third, Giambi stretched to reel in two bad throws by shortstop Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez made a diving stop at third on Edgar Renteria, and Tino Martinez made a backhand dive at first to prevent an extra-base hit by Johnny Damon.
By the time Matsui hit a two-run homer off Matt Mantei for an 8-1 lead in the eighth, it was almost piling on.
"We're not disappointed," Damon said. "We accept the fact that we really weren't that good tonight, We'll get better."
The 6-foot-10 Johnson allowed the one run and five hits in six innings and struck out six. Tanyon Sturtze and Tom Gordon followed with one-hit relief.
Wells, a former Yankee, had a shaky debut with Boston, allowing four runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings.
