The Associated Press

BALTIMORE - Staff Sgt. Tarik Jackson, a Purple Heart honoree wounded in Iraq last month, was among eight injured war veterans who attended Sunday's Baltimore-Boston game as guests of Orioles owner Peter Angelos.

Jackson, on a day-pass from a recuperative stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, was invited by Angelos to sit in the owner's private box at Camden Yards.

"It's good for me because I was confined to a bed in Germany for a week," Jackson said. "It's a good getaway."

Jackson, married and the father of a 9-month old boy, was shot three times when his convoy was ambushed. The Army mechanic was awarded the Purple Heart at Walter Reed on Saturday

GIANTS: Felipe Alou will take a perfect record into his regular season Pacific Bell Park debut today.

The 67-year-old Alou and the defending NL champion Giants face the San Diego Padres in their home opener carrying a 6-0 record that matches their start from 2002.

"I can't wait for it," Alou said in Milwaukee. "It's too bad we're going probably to be a little bit tired because of this trip. I'm looking forward to opening day. I was there many, many times for opening day as a player in two different stadiums. I was at opening day at Seals Stadium and opening day at Candlestick Park and finally I'm going to be there opening day at Pac Bell as a manager. It's a privilege."

Slugger Barry Bonds, who won a record fifth MVP last season, will be honored for the accomplishment before the game, and the NL pennant will be presented.

YANKEES SNOWED OUT: The Yankees' home opener on Monday has been postponed because of forecast of heavy snow.

The game between the Yankees and Minnesota Twins will be played Tuesday at 4:05 p.m. The forecast for Monday is for snow all day and temperatures in the 30s.

"They've had this forecast for a few days," manager Joe Torre said Sunday after the Yankees won 10-5 at Tampa Bay. "It didn't surprise me.

DIAMONDBACKS: Catcher Rod Barajas strained his left hamstring Sunday and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Catcher Robby Hammock will be recalled from Triple-A Tucson.

MARINERS: Edgar Martinez, Seattle's 40-year-old designated hitter, left the game at Texas with a mild strain of his left hamstring.

Martinez, who missed two months after rupturing his left hamstring tendon last season, is expected to be out three-to-five days.