TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Javier Vazquez's first pitch was all too familiar to Yankees fans: a home run.

After that, the right-hander provided a glimpse of what the Yankees are hoping to get from him in his return to New York: a consistent starter who will take some of the pressure off the rest of the rotation.

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Much to the delight of Philadelphia's vocal fans - and some mocking Yankees supporters - Jimmy Rollins jumped on Vazquez's opening fastball Monday and sent it soaring over the right-field fence.

But the enduring image for Vazquez from the Yankees' 7-5 win over the Phillies was a changeup that Chase Utley helplessly flailed at for strike three to end the first.

``I was definitely very happy the way I threw the ball today,' said Vazquez, who was pitching for New York for the first time since he gave up a first-pitch grand slam to Boston's Johnny Damon in Game 7 of the 2004 American League championship series. ``I threw some good pitches there.'

Vazquez retired the final six batters of his two-inning outing for a New York split-squad, striking out four of the last five.

Utley was impressed with how effective the strikeout pitch was.

``It's tough, especially at this point' in the spring, Utley said of the changeup.

Now 33 and coming off a stellar season in Atlanta where he went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA over 32 starts, Vazquez said he is mixing his pitches better, and is not being so ``stubborn' in relying on his fastball.

Catcher Jorge Posada noticed the difference from Vazquez's first stint in New York.

``He only threw two innings, but you can see the maturity,' Posada said. ``A different guy. He's in a new place. He has developed that maturity that we needed. I think he's a different Javy than we first saw in 2004.'

Vazquez said a looser, more welcoming clubhouse, and having CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte ahead of him in the rotation helps, too.

Nick Johnson, also beginning his second stint with New York, finally played in his first game and went 0 for 2 with a walk. He was out since Thursday, when he caught a cleat in the turf and tweaked his back during batting practice. Having been on the disabled list nine times in his career, the Yankees were cautious with the designated hitter.

``It's encouraging,' manager Joe Girardi said. ``He probably wouldn't have missed a day if it was the season, because of the history the red flag goes up. It's understandable, but it is good to get him out there.'

Johnson is making the adjustment to the DH role after playing first base in the National League and said he kept loose between at_bats by riding a stationary bike, playing with a medicine ball and ``just kept moving.'

Competing for the No. 5 spot in the Phillies' rotation with 47-year-old Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick was dominant. He held the Yankees to one hit - Robinson Cano's double - over three innings, mixing a tricky cutter with his sinker.

``He's come a long way with his changeup and cutter,' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Kendrick has allowed just two hits in five innings this spring but knows there are no guarantees.

``No question, fifth man is great. If it's in the bullpen I'll be happy, too,' Kendrick said. ``I just want to make the team.'

NOTES: Yankees backup C Francisco Cervelli was cleared to play by a neurologist. Cervelli sustained a concussion Saturday when he was hit in the head by a pitch and saw the doctor Monday. Girardi is leaning toward playing him Friday. ... Phillies OF Shane Victorino is scheduled to play for the first time Tuesday. He was bothered by a sore right shoulder. ... Roy Halladay will start for Philadelphia against the Braves. It will be his second outing. ... New York's Nick Swisher had two doubles and three RBIs off Jose Contreras. ... Both Posada and Phillies slugger Ryan Howard were 0 for 9 this spring before they broke through with singles in the fourth. Howard also had a single in the fifth.