Nomo Wins In Brewers Debut

May 9, 1999 / 9:34 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Hideo Nomo walked off the field after finally making his 1999 debut, and heard a comment from the stands that made the normally stotic pitcher smile.

"Somebody said something nice to me," Nomo said. "It feels nice to throw a game in the majors again. I think it was a very good day."

Nomo, released by two teams already this year, allowed five hits in 6 1-3 innings Sunday to lead the Milwaukee Brewers over the San Francisco Giants 3-2.

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Nomo allowed two runs one earned in his first major league appearance since last Sept. 27 for the New York Mets. He struck out six, walked two and left after allowing an RBI single to pinch-hitter Brent Mayne in the seventh.

"He had a very good outing," Milwaukee manager Phil Garner said. "He had good stuff. I thought he changed speeds on his fastball effectively and threw some really good splitters."

Nomo, a 30-year-old right-hander who came to the major leagues in 1995 after five seasons in Japan's major leagues, was released by the Mets during spring training and by the Chicago Cubs on April 23.

He then signed a $250,000, one-year contract with the Brewers on April 29. He threw seven shutout innings for Milwaukee's Double-A Huntsville farm team before he was brought up Sunday.

"The first couple of innings, he didn't have much command," the Giants' Rich Aurilia said. "But once he started going to his forkball he was a lot tougher. There were no surprises. We just didn't get him today."

Nomo, who hadn't won since throwing a three-hitter at San Francisco last Aug. 26, improved to 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA in five career starts at the Giants.

"It happens," he said through an interpreter. "I haven't changed the way I pitch. I just appreciate the opportunity to pitch in the majors again."

Bob Wickman got four outs for his sixth save. With the potential tying run on second, he retired Armando Rios on a game-ending groundout.

Mark Gardner (0-3), who hadn't pitched since April 16 because of a shoulder injury, came off the disabled list and allowed two runs and five hits in fie innings.

"My pitches were crisp. Three or four miles an hour more on my fastball helped," Gardner said. "It's a step in the right direction."

Marquis Grissom doubled home Milwaukee's first run in the second, then scored on Mark Loretta's single.

A throwing error by Brewers' catcher David Nilsson set up the Giants' run in the second. Stan Javier singled, stole second and went to third on the error. He scored on Scott Servais' groundout for a 2-1 lead.

Sean Berry led off the sixth with a home run off Joe Nathan.

Nilsson went 3-for-4 for Milwaukee.

Notes: To make room for Gardner, the Giants optioned infielder Edwards Guzman to Triple-A Fresno. ... The Brewers optioned left-hander Horacio Estrada to Triple-A Louisville. ... The game was broadcast to Japan on NHK and the Tokyo Broadcasting Service. ... The Giants honored their 1960s all-decade team before the game, a group that includes Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepeda. ... Mayne's single in the seventh was the first pinch RBI of the season for the Giants. ... Brewers' relievers have not allowed an earned run in 20 1-3 innings. ... Milwaukee second baseman Fernando Vina and right fielder Jeromy Burnitz collided while chasing a popup in the ninth. Burnitz caught the ball, but Vina left with a bruise above his left kneecap. He is day to day.