“It seems like we’ve seen this story in Yankee Stadium before,” Sweeney said. “We showed a lot of character, never stopped fighting, we take the lead, and we lose. It happened a couple of years ago on opening day.”

Sanders homered off Wang. After Angel Berroa’s double-play grounder put the Royals ahead in the sixth, Shane Costa sent Tanyon Sturtze’s first pitch into the first row of the right-field stands for a 6-4 lead in a two-run seventh.

Giambi connected in the first inning off struggling Joe Mays, and Damon jump-started New York’s early offense with an opposite-field double and a walk in his first two plate appearances.

After that he sacrificed, grounded out and struck out. He was especially happy Jeter came through following his strikeout.

“I jumped high out of the dugout,” Damon said. “The guy knows how to play.”

Mays walked five in 2 2-3 innings, throwing 31 of 59 pitches for balls. After giving up a grand slam to Matsui in the Japanese outfielder’s first home game with the Yankees in 2003, Mays walked him with the bases loaded in the third. Mike Wood came in and escaped further damage when Posada hit a squibber that the reliever picked up and threw to first.

Fans in the right-field bleachers chanted Damon’s name during the first-inning roll call. Williams’ turn expanded to a stadium-wide chant. But in his new role as a designated hitter, the longtime Yankees star was back in the clubhouse.

Torre said he tried to get another player to wave from dugout to fool the fans and end the chant. Pitcher Shawn Chacon went up the tunnel to retrieve Williams.

“By the time I went down,” Williams said, “it was already calm.”

Notes: Bob Sheppard’s distinctive voice was missing from the Yankees’ home opener for the first time since 1950. The public-address announcer threw out his left hip Monday night at his Long Island home. He hopes to be back April 21. ... There was a moment of silence before the game for Maggie Dixon, the Army women’s basketball coach who died last week at age 28. ... The Yankees won eight straight home openers from 1920-27.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

GMs head out to work on offseason trades Report: Mets, Phillies interested in Figgins MLB blog: Tigers listening to offers for Granderson MLB blog: Can Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies get Halladay? Report: Angels still might re-sign Lackey Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay Varitek exercises option to remain with Red Sox MLB blog: Mariners are bringing back Griffey ... why? Report: Mets begin discussions for Holliday Wainwright: Holliday wants to return to Cards Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: