Strawberry Plays in Triple-A

Darryl Strawberry, attempting to come back from his latest drug suspension--while still recovering from colon cancer surgery--returned to action after being given another chance by the New York Yankees.

He was in the starting lineup for triple-A Columbus Wednesday night and went two for four while playing for the first time since learning he had colon cancer last Oct. 1.

Strawberry, however, failed to come through with the game on the line in the ninth inning. He got jammed and popped out to third to end the game with the tying run on second as the Clippers lost, 3-2, at Columbus, Ohio.

“I think it’s a matter of time, a matter of getting back,” Strawberry said. “You know, that’s the first time I’ve faced game-situation pitches. All I did down in Tampa was just hit, run and shag balls.”

Strawberry was suspended for 120 days by Commissioner Bud Selig after his arrest on solicitation and drug charges April 14. Selig reduced the suspension by one week Monday.