Knoblauch

Kansas City Royals: Chuck Knoblauch was back at Legends Field on Friday.

"I wanted to come here and see some of the guys. It's good to see the place," said the outfielder, who signed with the Kansas City Royals during the offseason after four seasons with the New York Yankees.

Knoblauch played on three World Series championship teams and four AL pennant winners in New York.

Still, it wasn't always the best of times. Knoblauch battled injuries and was shifted from second base to left field because he couldn't accurately throw to first.

"On the field, I didn't have my best years in New York," Knoblauch said. "It's one of a kind. I miss it. But I'm looking forward to the new year."

Knoblauch received all cheers when introduced before playing the Yankees for the first time since New York acquired him from Minnesota in February 1998.

"It's sort of like any other spring ... getting ready for the season," Knoblauch said. "It's filled with excitement and the hope for a new year. It's been a good spring."

	Bonds

San Francisco Giants: Barry Bonds hit an opposite-field homer and Kirk Reuter allowed seven hits in five innings Friday as the San Francisco Giants beat the Seattle Mariners 9-1.

Joel Pineiro, the leading candidate to become the Mariners' fifth starter, gave up four runs and eight hits in four innings.

Bonds, who hit a record 73 homers last season, hit his third spring homer in the fifth off Shigetoshi Hasegawa. Bonds is hitting .250 (6-for-24).

"He's looked pretty good," Giants manager Dusty Baker said. "He usually looks good early and then he goes through a little down period. But he seems to get ready real quick. Lately he's been so-so. But he's going to be fine."

Reuter, a 14-game winner last season who will be the Giants' No. 3 starter, has allowed three earned runs in 15 innings.

	Pettitte

New York Yankees: New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte threw two perfect innings in a minor league intrasquad game Friday.

Pettitte was scratched from his start on March 8 after straining a left elbow muscle.

The left-hander threw 21 pitches -- including 16 strikes -- pitching for Triple-A Columbus against Double-A Norwich.

"I thought it was a very positive outing," Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said. "He still has enough time to get ready."

Pettitte struck out two, but did not throw any curveballs. He was throwing at about 80 percent.

Alfonso Soriano hit a pair of three-run homers as the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 10-6 Friday.

Soriano extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a three-run homer off Chad Durbin in the second inning. He hit another three-run shot off Nate Field during a five-run fifth.

"I'm more relaxed," Soriano said. "I'm looking for my pitch. This year is more comfortable for me because I play second base. It's my position."

Soriano started last spring in the outfield before shifting to the infield when Chuck Knoblauch went from second to left field.

"I think we've all witnessed it all spring," New York manager Joe Torre said. "He know he fits in here. He's exciting to watch."

Soriano is the first New York player to hit two homers and drive in six runs in spring training game since Mike Stanley on March 6, 1993.

	Kile

St. Louis Cardinals: Raul Chavez hit a grand slam and Brad Ausmus had a solo homer Friday as the Houston Astros defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 Friday.

Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile, in his first start since offseason arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, threw two perfect innings.

Kile threw 23 pitches, including 16 for strikes, and struck out Chris Prieto to end the second inning.

"I was just glad to be back out there," Kile said. "The shoulder feels fine. I just need to do my work, zero in on my mechanics and get ready for the season."

Kile said he hoped to be ready in time for the start of the regular season in two weeks.

"He should be," manager Tony La Russa said. "I think he will be unless there is a setback. It was a good first turn. We're encouraged and very excited."

Kile, 20-9 with a 3.91 ERA in 2000 and 16-11 with a 3.09 ERA last year, will likely make three more starts in Florida.

	Guillen

Arizona Diamondbacks: Jose Guillen hit for the cycle and Luis Gonzalez hit a solo homer as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Milwaukee Brewers 14-12 Friday.

Guillen, likely to make the Arizona roster as a reserve outfielder, hit a three-run homer in his first at-bat against loser Ruben Quevedo.

He then tripled in his second at-bat, then doubled and blooped a single to right. Guillen was 4-for-5 with four runs scored, three RBI and a stolen base. He is 15-for-32 in his last 10 games.

"I just keep putting the pressure on Bob Brenly," Guillen said, referring to the Diamondbacks second-year manager.

Brenly said he thought about taking Guillen out of the game, but wanted to see him hit for the cycle.

"The way he hit those first three balls, I thought he deserved a chance to dump one in somewhere," Brenly said.

	Kapler

Texas Rangers: Gabe Kapler twice lost starting jobs during the offseason, but not because he did anything wrong.

When Texas acquired All-Star center fielder Carl Everett in a December trade with Boston, the Rangers planned to move Kapler from center -- where he made just one error in 344 chances last season -- back to right.

About a month later, Kapler was displaced again when free agent Juan Gonzalez, the two-time AL MVP he had replaced in right, agreed to a deal to return to Texas.

"I chose to make the decision in my mind to not speculate," Kapler said. "I realize that a lot of times these things have a way of just working their way out over the course of a spring training."

In 13 games this spring, Kapler has had time in both center and left.

Everett is still undergoing rehabilitation from arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage from his right knee. But when Everett is healthy, Kapler will most often be in left, where Rusty Greer and Frank Catalanotto also play.

Despite the crowded outfield, Kapler still considers himself an everday player.

"I haven't been told otherwise to this point so I wouldn't expect otherwise," Kapler said. "I expect to get a lot of time the same way during the season."

Manager Jerry Narron has three players -- Kapler, Greer and Catalanotto -- for two everday positions, left and designated hitter. But he also has other options to get them in the lineup.

Greer, an outfield starter since 1994 and a .305 career hitter, is coming off two injury-shortened seasons. He could become the primary DH.

Catalanotto, a utility infielder converted to the outfield last season after a series of injuries to other players, will get some time at second base. He can also play first and third.

Kapler will move around in the outfield. He should get his share of starts in left, but will also see time at center and right to give Everett and Gonzalez occasional days off.

"When Gabe is in the lineup, he will be in the outfield," Narron said. "Right now, he's the most athletic and the most versatile."