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The Associated Press
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Brett Myers looked great in his final tuneup for opening day. Chien-Ming Wang wasn't sharp at all.
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.
Marlins 7, Mets 5
Pedro Martinez is ready for the regular season and he plans to be a vocal leader in the clubhouse this year.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner threw 80 pitches against minor leaguers Wednesday before New York's loss to Florida.
Martinez went six innings and pronounced himself healthy heading into the season. The right-hander missed most of 2007 following shoulder surgery.
"I just went out there and got my work in and I came out healthy," Martinez said. "I had more command. I'm getting better day to day."
Martinez threw on a back field rather than face the Marlins, the team he is scheduled to pitch against in the second game of the season next Tuesday in Miami.
Martinez, who spent much of last season in Port St. Lucie rehabilitating his shoulder before joining the Mets in September, is excited about breaking camp with the team.
"I can't wait to get out of here," Martinez said. "These kids over there made it fun for me and I want to say thanks to them, but it's time to get back to my real team and wish them luck."
The Marlins touched New York bullpen candidates Nelson Figueroa and Joe Smith for six runs on five hits in two innings.
Figueroa gave up a three-run homer to Jorge Cantu in the sixth, and Smith allowed a two-run shot to former Met Mike Jacobs in the seventh.
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