Damon makes solid first impression

Johnny Damon doubled on his first swing in pinstripes and singled on his next. A few hours later, he was gone.

The Yankees' new center fielder and leadoff hitter went 2 for 3 yesterday as New York opened its exhibition schedule with a 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in Tampa.

Even before the game was over, Damon departed along with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Al Leiter to join up with the US baseball team gathering in Phoenix for the first World Baseball Classic -- the 16-nation tournament Yankees owner George Steinbrenner wishes would go away.

''I'm excited for the country. I'm excited for my father, who fought. I'm excited for this game of baseball," said Damon, whose father served in Vietnam. ''This game is a lot more than the steroid scandals, it's a lot more than juiced-ball theories. It's stood the test of time, and this is just another way to help it along."

If the Americans advance to the final, Damon & Co. won't return until March 21.

Until then, fans at spring training likely will see a lot of Melky Cabrera in center, Felix Escalona at shortstop, and Marcos Vechionacci at third.

Bernie Williams, set to join up with Puerto Rico's team today in Port St. Lucie, kidded Jeter, softly chanting ''U-S-A! U-S-A!" as he walked by the Yankees' captain in the clubhouse.

''It's going to be strange without them," Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

The throw from Chris Gomez pulled the first baseman off the bag, enabling Hanley Ramírez to reach. Without hesitation, the first baseman turned and threw to the plate, nailing Matt Cepicky trying to score from second.

If that's an example of how Javy López is going to play first base for the Baltimore Orioles, then the experiment to convert him from a catcher could turn out to be a smashing success.

López received his initial start at first base in the Orioles' exhibition opener against the Florida Marlins and fared remarkably well in a 6-4 loss yesterday in Fort Lauderdale.

In addition to his alert play in the fourth, he hauled in a foul pop, fielded successive hard grounders in the third, and scooped up a roller while the top half of a broken bat was heading in his direction. He finished with 10 putouts, two assists, and no errors.

''That breaks the ice. Now, next game I should feel a little more comfortable," López said. ''It's a hard position to play. You have to pay attention on every single play. But it's fun, I enjoyed it, and thank God I wasn't bad."

Leadoff hitter Ivan Rodriguez homered in his first at-bat and finished 3 for 3 with four RBIs, sending the Detroit Tigers to an 8-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Lakeland, Fla. ''It doesn't matter where I bat in the lineup," said Rodriguez, who is entering his 16th major league season and third with the Tigers. ''If I do my job and we're a healthy team this year, we could win a lot of games." The 12-time All-Star left Tigertown after the game to join the Puerto Rican team in Port St. Lucie and prepare for the World Baseball Classic . . . Before the game, Reds pitching coach Vern Ruhle told players he has been diagnosed with cancer. The 55-year-old Ruhle plans to stay with the team while getting treatment. ''I want to express my sincere thanks to the Reds organization and medical team for all their support during this time," said Ruhle, a native of Coleman, Mich., who pitched for the Tigers from 1974-77. ''My doctors feel that they've caught this at an early stage and it is very treatable."

Bartolo Colón showed no ill effects of last year's shoulder troubles, working two scoreless innings and allowing only one hit in the Los Angeles Angels' 12-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in a charity game in Tempe, Ariz. Colón's outing will be his only appearance for the Angels until after the World Baseball Classic. He plans to pitch for the Dominican Republic. The righthander went 21-8 with a 3.48 ERA last season but missed the American League Championship Series because of inflammation in his right shoulder. ''I feel good," Colón said through a translator. ''Right now I feel as ready as any other season." . . . In Tucson, White Sox righthander Freddy García worked three innings in a 9-2 split-squad loss to Arizona in his only spring training start before he leaves to pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. ''I feel pretty good," García said. ''I have to make my pitches when I'm there. I don't know the Australian hitters, but I'll figure it out." Later, Jeff Baker's three-run homer helped the Colorado Rockies beat a split squad of Chicago White Sox, 8-1. The defending World Series champions are 0-3 this spring . . . Coming to camp a week early and spending late afternoons learning the intricacies of first base are already paying off for new Dodger Nomar Garciaparra. In his first game at the position, Garciaparra made two fine backhand plays in the third inning of the Dodgers' 3-2 victory over the Braves at Vero Beach, Fla. ''It's good to get plays like that," Garciaparra said. ''I want plays of all kinds right now. I'll make plays and mess up plays, but you can't simulate that in practice."