twins/mlb

TAMPA, FLA. - It was the Yankees' spring-training opener. Players took the field for introductions. F-15 jets performed a flyover. Fireworks went off behind the right field wall.

Then the Yankees blasted Carlos Silva for two homers and five runs on the way to a 6-1 victory Thursday.

Yankees righthander Chien-Ming Wang looked strong with two perfect innings. The Twins scored their only run on an RBI single by Jason Kubel in the fourth off Yankees prospect Phil Hughes. The Twins had only five hits all game.

The Twins did get a chance to look at the lefthanded relievers who are trying to win a spot in the bullpen. Randy Choate and Mike Venafro each threw a scoreless inning -- although Venafro walked two batters -- but Carmen Cali gave up three hits and a run in the ninth.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III