Lilly (4-6), who pitched a one-hitter and a three-hitter
this season for the Yankees, didn't allow a hit until
John Flaherty singled to left with two outs in the fifth
inning. He left after the first two batters reached in the
sixth.
"I guess that's what the lefties around here do," he said, only half-joking. "I
guess they just don't give up any runs." ~Ted before his start on Barry Zito and Mark Mulder
"That was an incredible performance,'' said A's manager Art Howe. "He
changed speeds, was in and out, had a sneaky fastball. He had all the
ingredients for such a long layoff. He reminds me a little of Bob Knepper, who I
played behind in Houston. He can pitch, that's the bottom line, he knows how
to pitch.''
"I felt pretty good throughout the game,'' Lilly said. "I wasn't sure how long I was going to be out
there, so I didn't try to overthrow and I think that's one of the things that was effective for me.''
"He's fun to play behind like the other guys,'' said Oakland second baseman
Mark Ellis. "He works quick and he didn't make mistakes.''
"I've felt pretty comfortable and
everybody's pretty easy going, so
that made it easier,'' Lilly said.
"Coming here and being on a ball
club like this, as talented and driven
as it is, excites me.''
"Sure, we'd all like to do that,'' Lilly said. "But right now we just need
to get into first place in our division. I don't get excited after one game.
We've got a second half to play and I need to do what I can to go out
and execute.'' ~when asked if he wants to play the Yanks in the playoffs
"We had a great game plan from the beginning,'' Lilly said. "I was
executing pitches but the guys made great plays behind me. My sinker
was working and I got some big ground balls. I was eager to get out
there.''
"He's real deceptive,'' said Rays catcher John Flaherty, who got the
first hit off Lilly. "His fastball is 87 or 88 but it looks like 92 or 93. And
he's like a Nomo with a little pause in his delivery. He almost lulls you
to sleep then the ball is on you.
"He's smooth and easy and he covers all zones and all speeds. He
pretty much drives hitters crazy.''
"I
would imagine that after getting beat in the postseason last
year that this club is pretty hungry to face the Yankees," said
Lilly, who allowed three hits with four strikeouts and two
walks over six innings.
