NY sports history: March 29, 1940

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Sunday, April 3, 2005

Big Unit makes Yankee debut

Making his Yankees debut, Randy Johnson struck out six and allowed five hits, two walks and one earned run in six innings as the Yankees defeated the Red Sox, 9-2, on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. Johnson -- who was acquired in a trade that sent Javier Vazquez, Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro and cash to the Diamondbacks -- outpitched former Yankee David Wells, who allowed four runs in 41/3 innings in his first start for the Red Sox. Hideki Matsui went 3-for-5 with three RBIs, including a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Johnson, who won the Cy Young Award four straight years from 1999-2002, finished the season 17-8 with a 3.79 ERA and 211 strikeouts.