04-05-2009, 04:34 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->But pitching wasn't the only problem. Kosuke Fukudome made an error on a catchable fly in center and watched another fly drop between him and right fielder Milton Bradley for a ground-rule double.
Could Reed Johnson be closer to taking Fukudome's spot? Piniella wouldn't go that far, though he hinted as much.
"Reed Johnson gives us energy," Piniella said. "And from what I've seen, we need a little energy on the field."
Fukudome will remain in the Opening Day lineup, batting second, though Piniella hasn't been impressed with his play in center since he returned from the World Baseball Classic.
"He has missed a few balls out there," he said. "I don't know what happened today. I don't know if the wind got it or what. I'm not going to say he looks as comfortable to me in center as he did in right. That statement, I don't think I'm ready to make. But hopefully I will."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Could Reed Johnson be closer to taking Fukudome's spot? Piniella wouldn't go that far, though he hinted as much.
"Reed Johnson gives us energy," Piniella said. "And from what I've seen, we need a little energy on the field."
Fukudome will remain in the Opening Day lineup, batting second, though Piniella hasn't been impressed with his play in center since he returned from the World Baseball Classic.
"He has missed a few balls out there," he said. "I don't know what happened today. I don't know if the wind got it or what. I'm not going to say he looks as comfortable to me in center as he did in right. That statement, I don't think I'm ready to make. But hopefully I will."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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