Myers outpitches Wang; Phils beat Yanks

FLORIDA Returning to the rotation this year after spending nearly all of last season in the bullpen, Myers allowed two hits in five innings of Philadelphia's 4-0 victory Wednesday over the New York Yankees.

The right-hander is set to start the Phillies' season opener Monday against Washington.

Wang will start New York's first game that day against Toronto. But he was tagged Wednesday by Philadelphia for four runs and six hits in five innings.

"The hitters were too comfortable," Wang said.

Six of the Phillies' first seven batters reached base in a four-run second. The sinkerballer gave up three straight singles to start the inning and received a visit from pitching coach Dave Eiland during the rally. Wang finished with two walks and two strikeouts, then declared himself ready for opening day.

"Everything's good," he said.

Wang won 19 games each of the past two seasons, and his teammates have plenty of confidence in him.

"Wang threw the ball really well today - exactly what we were looking for," Alex Rodriguez said. "The bell is about to ring, and it's getting really exciting. I can't wait for opening day March 31 in the Bronx."

Myers might have been trumped by a 22-year-old prospect who doesn't even have a locker in the major league clubhouse.

Andrew Carpenter, who won 17 games at Class-A Clearwater last summer, was added as an extra man before the game and responded by pitching four scoreless innings of relief.

"He did very good. He had good command, he threw a good changeup and he located his fastball very good," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He pitched with a purpose."

Carpenter struck out the side in his second inning of work and escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the ninth with a foulout and two strikeouts. He allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out six.

"It was a good challenge for me to see what I can do and see what I'm made of," said Carpenter, who will start the season at Double-A Reading. "I found out what I'm made of, so hopefully I can get (to Philadelphia), stay there and keep doing what I did today for a long time."

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