Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Prospect Chad Gaudin pitched a perfect game in his debut for the Double-A Orlando Rays on Tuesday, retiring all 21 Jacksonville Suns batters in a seven-inning game.

The right-hander needed 78 pitches -- 56 strikes -- to complete a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers' affiliate in the first game of a doubleheader.

Gaudin had a three-ball count on only one batter -- leadoff hitter Shane Victorino in the first inning. He struck out nine, including Reggie Abercrombie to end the it.

Gaudin, a 34th round pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2001, was 5-3 with a 2.13 ERA at Class-A Bakersfield in the California League before being promoted on Sunday.

Rays first baseman Dan Grummitt saved Gaudin's bid in the fifth inning when he made a diving stop of a ground ball, then tossed it to Gaudin, who barely beat the batter to the bag. An inning later outfielder Jesus Feliciano made a diving catch of a line drive.

It was the second perfect game in the history of the Southern League. Charles Swanson of the Montgomery Rebels pitched a nine-inning perfect game Aug. 14, 1970, beating Savannah 3-0.

New York Yankees: First baseman Nick Johnson took batting practice Tuesday for the first time since suffering a stress fracture in his right hand two months ago.

	Johnson

Johnson said he hopes to begin playing minor league games Friday, and rejoin the Yankees before the end of the month.

"That would be nice," Johnson said. "We'll see how it goes."

Johnson took batting practice in a cage over the weekend.

"It went very good," Johnson said. "It's very good to see a ball come out at you. I just have to swing and get my timing down. It will get better when I get into games and see live pitching."

In 36 games this season, Johnson is hitting .308 with five homers and 18 RBI. He walked 33 times and has an on-base percentage of .455.