So much for the pressure of new surroundings.

Hideki Matsui and Jim Thome each homered in their first spring training game Thursday, immediately showing off the power strokes that made their new teams so eager to sign them.

Matsui lined a two-run shot to right field in the New York Yankees’ 9-3 loss to Cincinnati for his first American home run after 10 stellar seasons in Japan.

“I was very happy I could play like this in my first game of the preseason,” Matsui said through an interpreter. “I think I was a little bit lucky to hit a home run today. It wasn’t the pitch the pitcher wanted to throw.”

Thome, who signed a six-year, $85-million contract as a free agent in November, hit an opposite-field shot to left in his first at-bat of spring training to lead Philadelphia past Pittsburgh, 6-3, at Bradenton, Fla.

“I’m not going to get too excited about this,” Thome said. “I’ve always been told that they don’t put the stats from spring training on the back of your baseball card. I have to admit, though, that it was pretty cool to hit a homer the first time up with my new team.”

Thome headlines a handful of new additions that have Phillies fans excited about a run at the World Series. He hit a team-record 52 home runs for Cleveland last season.

“It probably took some heat off of him a little bit to homer that first time up,” Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa said. “The fans are expecting a lot from him. I’m sure if he went 0-for-1 there, there would be some people in Philly getting panicky.”

Matsui, who went 1-for-3 in Tampa, Fla., impressed his new teammates and manager Joe Torre with the way he fought off tough pitches.

New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui watches his two-run home run with Cincinnati catcher Jason LaRue. The Reds won, 9-3, Thursday in Tampa Fla.

“It was fun to watch,” Jason Giambi said. “He’s a great player, no doubt about it.”

The Yankees’ other big international acquisition didn’t fare as well. Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras gave up five runs, including a grand slam by Adam Dunn, in two innings.

Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 1

At Tucson, Ariz., Randy Johnson pitched two hitless innings in his spring debut as Arizona beat Colorado. Coming off his fourth straight NL Cy Young Award, Johnson struck out two and walked one. Rockies starter Denny Neagle also threw two shutout innings.

Rangers (ss) 17, University of Texas 1

At Surprise, Ariz., Alex Rodriguez hit a 506-foot homer as Texas routed the defending NCAA champions.

Twins 4, Red Sox 2

At Fort Myers, Fla., starters Derek Lowe and Kyle Lohse each pitched two scoreless innings in Minnesota’s victory over Boston. Lowe allowed one hit and struck out three.

Marlins 4, Orioles 3

At Jupiter, Fla., Marlins newcomer Ivan Rodriguez singled and drove in Florida’s first run with a sacrifice fly. The Orioles wore No. 51 patches on their sleeves to honor former pitcher Steve Bechler, who died Feb. 17 of heatstroke following a workout.

Dodgers 6, Tigers 5

At Vero Beach, Fla., Mike Kinkade homered twice, and Larry Barnes hit a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift Los Angeles. The Tigers lost the exhibition opener in their first game under new manager Alan Trammell.

Cardinals 6, Mets 3

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., Ty Wigginton homered and hit an RBI single for New York in its loss to St. Louis. Wigginton is trying to win a job as the Mets’ starting third baseman. Fernando Vina doubled twice for the Cardinals.

Mariners 6, Padres 5

At Peoria, Ariz., Seattle starter Gil Meche allowed six hits and three earned runs in two innings. Meche is bidding to return to the majors after a three-year absence. He broke into the majors in 1999 and started 2000 with the Mariners, but was slowed by a rotator cuff injury that eventually required surgery.

Athletics 7, Brewers 5, (10)

At Phoenix, AL Cy Young winner Barry Zito started for Oakland and pitched three innings. He gave up two hits, including a solo homer by Robert Machado. Brooks Kieschnick, trying to make the Milwaukee roster as a reliever and a pinch-hitter, pitched a scoreless inning and also singled.

Braves 3, Georgia Tech 3, ppd.

At Kissimmee, Fla., Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones homered as Atlanta and Georgia Tech were halted by rain in the fourth inning.