With the stress of waiting to be sentenced for misleading Congress alleviated, Miguel Tejada flashed the skills that made him an AL MVP.
After spending a day in a Washington court, where he was sentenced to one year of probation, given 100 hours of community service and fined $5,000 for denying Congress information about an ex-teammates use of performance-enhancing drugs, Tejada homered and drove in two runs Friday in the Houston Astros’ 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
“It’s a lot easier with the stuff behind me,” said Tejada, who had been awaiting sentencing since pleading guilty Feb. 12. “I don’t have to worry about that anymore. The only thing I have to worry about now is to just play baseball.”
Tejada went 3 for 3 with an RBI double and a single to back Roy Oswalt, who was making his first start since returning from the World Baseball Classic.
“Every time I take the field, it doesn’t matter what happens off the field. I’m going to play the best I can,” said Tejada, who was hitting just .251 this spring coming into the game.
Oswalt allowed 10 hits and three runs in six innings.
“Early on I couldn’t get the ball down,” Oswalt said. “As the game went on I was able to get some command and start getting people out.”
Oswalt will have one more spring start before opening day. He’ll throw two bullpen sessions before his next start as he tries to get into regular-season form. Oswalt struggled in the WBC, posting a 5.56 ERA in three starts and got the loss to Japan in the semifinals.
In other news:
• Alex Rodriguez’s rehabilitation from right hip surgery will keep him from returning to the Yankees’ spring training complex until after the team heads to New York to play two exhibition games in their new stadium.
A-Rod has been rehabbing in Vail, Colo., where he had the surgery March 9. Rodriguez is working out in a pool, doing range of motion drills and lifting weights.
• At Scottsdale, American League Cy Young winner Cliff Lee talked about his contract, which is up after this season, and Cleveland holds an option. He said the Indians approached him in the offseason but there haven’t been any talks this spring.
“They said they can’t do it due to the economy,” Lee said. “I respect that. I can’t force anything.”
• Right-hander Ricky Nolasco has been chosen to start the Florida Marlins’ season opener April 6 against the Washington Nationals.
• At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Johan Santana gave up one run on four hits over seven dominant innings for the Mets. Santana struck out six and needed only 75 pitches in his third start of the spring.