TRENTON – Hideki Matsui’s road back to the Bronx began last night here. If one game is any indication, that road won’t be too long.
Matsui played in his first game since fracturing his left wrist on May 11, making a rehab start for the Double-A Thunder. He showed little rust as the team’s designated hitter in a 3-1 victory over the Portland Sea Dogs in Game 1 of the Eastern League semifinals.
Batting in the cleanup spot, Matsui went 1-for-3 with an RBI, strikeout and an intentional walk.
“After every at-bat, the comfort level got better,” Matsui said through his interpreter, Roger Kahlon.
Matsui’s first at-bat of the night was the only one where his timing looked off. Portland starter Devern Hansack struck out Matsui on an inside breaking pitch that Matsui hacked at awkwardly.
As the night wore on, Matsui showed signs of regaining his timing. In the fourth inning, he hit a ball hard to right field off of Hansack that was caught by Brandon Moss. Hansack intentionally walked Matsui in the fifth after getting down 2-0 in the count.
In the seventh, Matsui came to the plate with men on first and second and one out against reliever Barry Hertzlere. He stroked a ground ball to right field that scored Gabe Lopez, giving the Thunder a 3-1 lead.
“Getting the timing down with the pitcher was a bit difficult in the first at-bat, but [it] got better,” Matsui said.
Matsui was followed by a large media contingent to Trenton. The Thunder issued a record 90 media credentials for the game against the Portland Sea Dogs, including around 50 for Japanese news agencies.
As if Matsui did not stand out enough, he wore a Yankees batting helmet rather than the Thunder’s because Trenton did not have a helmet big enough for his head.
Matsui is expected to be with the Thunder for as long as they stay alive in the playoffs, meaning he could be with them through the end of next week, if they make the championship series and it goes five games.
Before the game, Matsui spent some time in the outfield and said he feels he can play left field, but Yankee manager Joe Torre said yesterday in Kansas City that Matsui will DH when he returns to the team.
“He is not going to play the outfield,” Torre said. “It’s best for him to DH the rest of the year. I don’t know what the doctors will advise, but that’s the way we should be thinking.
“I am not saying he is going to DH every game. It will take a little juggling. But as long as we are getting Matsui’s feet wet, DH is where it will happen.”
After the game, Matsui said he is OK with that decision.
“That’s Joe’s decision,” Matsui said. “Whatever is decided is what I’ll go with.”
Matsui was not the only player on the Thunder who was almost ready to play in the Bronx. Top prospect Phil Hughes struck out 13 Sea Dogs on 85 pitches in six innings. The right-hander gave up five hits, one run and one walk.
Game 2 is tonight in Trenton and if there is a Game 5, it will be here, too. Games 3 and 4, if necessary, are in Portland, Maine, on Friday and Saturday.
– Additional reporting by George King
