08:51 AM EST on Thursday, March 25, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

Ap photo The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez takes a bad bounce off the cheek as Boston's Brian Daubach slides into third base last night.

TAMPA -- A day before they fly to Japan to begin their regular season, the Yankees got a scare last night when third baseman Alex Rodriguez left the game in the top of the fourth inning after being struck in the face by a ball.

Rodriguez was getting ready to take a throw from New York left fielder Hideki Matsui when the ball struck baserunner Brian Daubach on the foot and kicked up and caught Rodriguez on the left cheekbone, just below the eye. Rodriguez cradled his face in pain for a minute or two, and after being examined by the Yankees' trainer, he came out of the game.

He was replaced at third by Eric Almonte. It was Almonte who took over for Derek Jeter last April after the shortstop had suffered a separated shoulder in a collision at third base on Opening Night at SkyDome in Toronto.

The Yankees said Rodriguez had suffered a bruised cheekbone. A CT-scan was negative. He's listed as day-to-day.

"I'm very fortunate," said Rodriguez, who is not expected to miss today's flight to Tokyo. "I have no doubts I'm going."

It was "a freak thing. I don't remember much about the play," Rodriguez said after doctors checked him out. "I feel pretty good now. I just felt like I got my bells rung pretty good. I'm very fortunate."

Rodriguez said he was thinking of a high school injury in 1993, when he was hit in the face by an errant throw that went into the dugout. That one broke his cheekbone.

"I did flash back," he said. "My first inclination was to see if I lost any teeth."

Making his bid

In spite of an 8-6 loss, David McCarty's bid for a roster spot was aided last night by his three-run homer in the fourth off Yankee starter Donovan Osborne.

The homer was McCarty's fifth of the spring and his fourth since last Thursday.

That places him behind only David Ortiz (six) for the team lead in homers.

The Sox' first run came after Gabe Kapler doubled, took third on a flyout and came home on a groundout from Manny Ramirez.

They scored a run in the seventh on a triple by Pokey Reese on a scarifice fly by Kapler. They added their final run in the ninth on Brian Daubach's bloop single.

Mets looking at Port

Mike Port, the Red Sox' vice president of baseball operations, has been interviewed by the New York Mets for their vacant assistant general manager post.

The Mets are seeking someone with a strong administrative background, and Port, an expert on the collective bargaining agreement and various waiver rules, has the necessary credentials.

Port is one of three candidates for the position. If hired, it would mark the second time that Port will work as an assistant to a Duquette -- Dan with the Red Sox and his cousin Jim, now general manager of the Mets.

Port interviewed for GM openings in Seattle and Cincinnati over the winter, but lost out to Bill Bavasi in Seattle and Dan O'Brien in Cincinnati.

Phils nab Hernandez

The Sox lost catcher Michel Hernandez yesterday to the Philadelphia Phillies, who claimed him on waivers.

The Sox had attempted to outright him to the minors, but he was out of options and subject to a waiver claim.

Hernandez, 25, was picked up on waivers from the Yankees in January. He spent last season at Triple A Columbus before getting into a handful of games with the Yankees in September.

More cuts imminent

Expect some additional cuts, perhaps as soon as today. The Sox still have 41 players in camp and need to cut down to a more workable number by the weekend.

Extra players will be taken to Atlanta to give the club additional depth, but those will likely be minor leaguers already returned or optioned back to the minor-league camp.

Rounding the bases

Nomar Garciaparra is hopeful of getting some at-bats in a minor-league game early next week. "He's feeling that good," manager Terry Francona said. Ramiro Mendoza, set back again when he sliced his finger in Vero Beach, may pitch in a game by the end of the week. Francona said Mendoza would probably need to long-toss and throw a bullpen side session first since he's been inactive the last few days . . . Lenny Dinardo, a Rule V selection, is almost certain to begin the season on the disabled list. Dinardo has not pitched in a game this spring because of shoulder problems . . . Terry Shumpert, out with a hamstring strain, told Francona he was much improved but is still several days away from returning to action . . . Trot Nixon (back) is at Stage three of a five-stage rehab program, which includes swimming and cariovascular work . . . Reliever Alan Embree threw two innings (25 pitches) at the minor-league complex yesterday in an attempt to build some arm strength.

For the record . . .

After a 1-2 start, the Sox went into last night with eight wins in their last 11 tries and 11 in their last 16 games . . . Red Sox starters had compiled a 2.27 E.R.A. before last night. Dating back to March 11, Boston's starting pitchers had allowed more than one earned run just twice. Overall, the Sox staff sported a 4.25 E.R.A., third-best among A.L. clubs . . . The Sox had committed just nine errors in their first 19 games, the fewest of any club in the majors.