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By The Associated Press

On the first day of baseball's new era of drug testing, Jason Giambi began his comeback from a season wrecked by injury and an offseason marred by steroid controversy.

Giambi walked twice and grounded out Thursday as the New York Yankees opened the exhibition season with a 2-2 tie against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

''I'm excited to get out there, getting a chance to play and have positive at-bats,'' Giambi said. ''That's the biggest thing, tracking the ball well. And when you start doing that, you can start getting pitches to hit and hitting them hard and go from there.''

Fans in the sellout crowd of 10,041 cheered Giambi on the cool, gray afternoon.

''They've been unbelievably supportive, so that's exciting,'' Giambi said.

After playing on a bad knee for the second half of the 2003 season, Giambi's year was wrecked in 2004 by a sprained right ankle, an intestinal parasite and a benign pituitary tumor. He hit just .077 with one homer and five RBIs in 52 at-bats after the All-Star break, too weak to come back and contribute in the stretch run.

In December, the San Francisco Chronicle reported he told a federal grand jury in 2003 that he had used steroids.

All of baseball seemingly has to prove its innocence, which is why players agreed to the new deal, which calls for more testing, additional banned performance-enhancing substances and a 10-day suspension for a first offense.

Several players on the Florida Marlins were tested on the first day.

''I think most guys are relieved something's getting done so the majority don't get thrown into the mud because of the minority,'' third baseman Mike Lowell said in Jupiter, Fla.

One player critical of the new policy was Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent.

Kent told the San Francisco Chronicle that testing should be supervised by an independent body, that amphetamines also should be banned and that penalties should be more along the lines of the Olympic movement, where first offenses generally merit a two-year ban.

''I'm disappointed with major league baseball and the association for not implementing a plan that is completely solid,'' he was quoted as saying in Thursday's editions. ''We need to prove to the fans that there's no question baseball should be clean and is clean, and we're not sending the right message with this policy.''

In Washington, a congressional committee scheduled a hearing for March 17 on the new drug-testing agreement, which hasn't even been finalized. Among those invited to testify were Jose Canseco, Giambi, Mark McGwire, Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Frank Thomas, commissioner Bud Selig and players' association head Donald Fehr.

For the Pirates, Kip Wells gave up three hits and two runs in two innings against the Yankees. The right-hander pitched just once after Aug. 13 because of a strained elbow.

In other games

Red Sox 4, Twins 3

At Fort Myers, Fla., Matt Clement allowed one run in two innings and Shawn Wooten homered in a win for Boston, which was playing its first game since winning its first World Series title in 86 years last October.

Kyle Lohse, who should be the Twins fourth starter, allowed one run and two hits in the first two innings. Giants 9, Angels 8

At Tempe, Ariz., Pedro Feliz — playing for Barry Bonds, who is rehabbing his knee — Moises Alou and Edgardo Alfonzo each had run-scoring singles for San Francisco. AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run double off Armando Benitez for the Angels, playing their first game as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Devil Rays 7, Reds 3

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Alex Gonzalez had three hits, three RBIs and made a spectacular diving grab in his first game at third base for Tampa Bay.

Paul Wilson allowed five hits and two runs in two innings for the Reds.

Orioles 8, Marlins 4

At Jupiter, Brian Roberts went 2-for-3, scored twice and drove in a run for Baltimore. Sammy Sosa has a groin strain and did not make the trip.

Al Leiter, an offseason acquisition by Florida, allowed three hits, walked two and hit a batter in two innings. He was charged with three runs, one earned. Josh Beckett started and allowed three hits, two walks and one run in 2 2-3 innings.

Indians 7, Astros 3

At Winter Haven, Fla., Travis Hafner hit a two-run homer and Jake Westbrook struck out two in two innings to lead Cleveland. Houston's Brad Ausmus went 3-for-3.

Nationals 9, Bethune-Cookman 6

At Viera, Fla., Washington free-agent signee Esteban Loaiza allowed two hits and three runs — one earned — over 2 2-3 innings.

Cubs 2, Athletics 1

At Phoenix, Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer off Joe Blanton, and Carlos Zambrano pitched two shutout innings for the Cubs. Dan Haren pitched two scoreless innings in his A's debut.

Braves 9, Dodgers 8, 8 innings, rain

At Vero Beach, Fla., Andruw Jones and Brian Jordan homered off Jeff Weaver, who allowed six runs and seven hits in 2 1-3 innings for Los Angeles.

Atlanta's Mike Hampton pitched two perfect innings with one strikeout.

Dodgers OF Jayson Werth, hit on the left wrist by a pitch Wednesday, has a small fracture and might not be ready to play on opening day.

Tigers 9, Phillies 1

At Clearwater, Fla., Rondell White had three hits and Dewayne Wise homered as Detroit spoiled Charlie Manuel's debut as Philadelphia's manager. Kenny Lofton doubled and threw out a baserunner for the Phillies.

Mariners 5, Padres 4

At Peoria, Ariz., Ryan Franklin pitched two scoreless innings and Raul Ibanez had an RBI single for Seattle. Royals 6, Rangers 4

At Surprise, Ariz., Mike Sweeney showed no lingering effects of the back problems that caused him to miss 110 games the past two seasons by going 3-for-3 for Kansas City. Kenny Rogers gave up a run on two hits in one inning for Texas. Diamondbacks 4, White Sox 3

At Tucson, Ariz., Russ Ortiz allowed two hits in his first two innings for Arizona, and Mark Buehrle gave up two unearned runs and five hits over three innings in his first action of the spring for Chicago.

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