Sosa Goes Deep For Japanese Crowd

Sammy Sosa didn't disappoint the Japanese fans who came out to see a demonstration of the swing that resulted in 66 home runs last season for the Chicago Cubs.

He connected leading off the second inning Friday, accounting for the first run of the game. A team of touring major-league stars parlayed that into a 4-1 victory over the Yomiuri Giants.

"I hit a home run not only for me, but for the people of Japan," Sosa said "The pitch was up and away, and I wasn't sure it was going to stay fair."

Vinny Castilla of the Colorado Rockies also homered before 55,000 at Tokyo Dome, where the eight-game tour began. San Diego's Greg Vaughn drove in two runs for the stars, who managed just five hits.

"I was really impressed by the Giants pitching," said Cleveland's Mike Hargrove, who is managing the team.

Philadelphia's Curt Schilling allowed three hits and struck out four to get the win. Four relievers followed him in a combined five-hitter, with San Digeo's Trevor Hoffman working a perfect ninth for the save.

On Saturday, the major leaguers meet a team of Japanese stars in the opener of a seven-game series. Seattle's Jamie Moyer will be the starting pitcher for the major leaguers.

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