YANKEE NOTES
SEATTLE – Because Randy Johnson missed a start with a left groin injury on May 4 and hasn’t dominated hitters with his usual brilliance in two starts since coming back from the problem, the immediate questions are centered around his health.
Sunday in Oakland, Johnson, 41, didn’t register a strikeout for only the fourth time in his illustrious career. And in six innings he gave up four runs (three earned) and seven hits in a 6-4 victory in which the Yankees had to climb out of the 3-0 ditch.
“I talked to Joe (Torre) after the game and he said it wasn’t an issue,” GM Brian Cashman said of Johnson’s groin. That, however, doesn’t mean Cashman doesn’t fret about Johnson’s leg.
“As a front office, you are on pins and needles until you forget he had it,” Cashman said.
In the past two starts Johnson is 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA and has whiffed seven. It’s his first two-game winning streak as a Yankee.
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Ruben Sierra started a rehab assignment yesterday for the Yankees’ extended spring training squad in Tampa. The plan calls for Sierra to play tonight and tomorrow night for Tampa (Single-A) and the extended team Thursday. If there are no problems with his right biceps, the switch-hitter will be activated from the DL Friday in time for first game against the Mets.
At that time, it’s likely Russ Johnson will be sent out.
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Tino Martinezwas the AL Player of the Week, but the award could have also gone to Yankees neophyte second baseman Robinson Cano, who went 11-for-19 (.579) in five games.
“I always imagined playing in the big leagues but not like this,” the 22-year-old left-handed hitter said after going 4-for-5 Sunday.
“He is looking like he is getting comfortable,” Torre said. “He doesn’t shy away from left-handers. He is going to be special. Playing with Tino, (Derek) Jeter and Alex (Rodriguez), he is going to learn.”
Martinez won the AL Player of the Week award for the fifth time (fourth as a Yankee) after hitting .391 (9-for-23) with six homers and 15 RBIs. He also scored 10 runs.
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Bernie Williams – who sat the entire series vs. Oakland – returned to center field last night at Safeco Field and Hideki Matsui was back in left. That forced a night off for Tony Womack as Cano stayed at second base against Seattle starter Aaron Sele.
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RHP Carl Pavano (2-2; 4.80 ERA) tries to stop a three-game slide tonight against RHP Julio Mateo (1-0; 0.41). Pavano is 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in the last three games and has given up 18 hits in 16 innings pitched. Seven of the hits have been homers. RHP Mike Mussina (4-2; 3.46) draws LHP Jamie Moyer (4-1; 5.53) tomorrow night.
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Hot at home
The Mariners welcomed the Yankees last night to Safeco Field after beating the Red Sox in two of three weekend games. They scored 22 total runs.
