updated 2:23 a.m. ET March 2, 2007

MESA, Ariz. - Alfonso Soriano stepped into the batter’s box for the first time in a Chicago Cubs uniform with left-hander Barry Zito on the mound ready to throw his first pitch for San Francisco.

It took eight tries and Zito had struck him out swinging on a chest-high fastball.

“It was a good battle,” Zito said, icing his shoulder afterward in the clubhouse. “It’s funny how it worked out, two free agents facing each other. My fastball was a little erratic. I’ve just got to get the feel a little more. The curveball was good, the couple I threw to Soriano.”

That initial at-bat during the Giants’ 9-2 victory Thursday certainly was enough to draw a big crowd to HoHoKam Park for the teams’ Cactus League opener — even with slugger Barry Bonds staying in Scottsdale Ariz., to prepare for Friday’s home game against Milwaukee.

Zito and Soriano signed rich free-agent contracts this winter and have high expectations of helping their clubs become contenders again.

“He deserves it. I’m happy for him,” said Soriano, who faced Zito while with the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. “We didn’t have time (to talk). If I see him at a restaurant, I will talk to him.”

Soriano signed an eight-year, $136 million contract. Zito received a $126 million, seven-year deal in late December to cross the Bay Bridge from Oakland, where he spent his first seven big league seasons.

“It was a good matchup wasn’t it?” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “Great way to start. A lot of money there.”

Russ Ortiz, the Giants’ third pitcher who’s competing for the No. 5 starter job, contributed to Zito’s first win. Not only did Ortiz — the club’s former ace back for a second stint — retire Derrek Lee on a called third strike, he hit a three-run double in the sixth.

The Giants have a fun promotion planned for Saturday at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Fans who bring Zito’s old A’s No. 75 jersey or other paraphernalia with his name on it will receive tickets to an exhibition game at the waterfront stadium for the final weekend in March. The stuff will go to charity.

“Hmmm, I don’t know,” Zito said. “I don’t know why they should have to turn it in. What are they going to do with the other ones, shred them? I’ll sign them for charity.”

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Barry Zito had a efficient day, throwing 29 pitches in two scoreless innings.

At 1-2 against Soriano, Zito called catcher Bengie Molina to the mound for a quick chat. After the strikeout, Zito got Matt Murton to ground out to second before allowing a single to center by Lee.

Zito went 1-2-3 in the second and ended his day with 29 pitches, 17 strikes.

He wanted to go 30-40 pitches, with the plan to throw 40-50 next time out.

Zito said the two didn’t need to talk about their new riches or acknowledge each other before they faced off.

“We both know,” Zito said. “If we started charging each other, the other two managers would have had heart attacks.”

The game also marked the debut of managers Lou Piniella and Bochy with their new teams. Piniella replaces Dusty Baker in Chicago. Bochy left the two-time defending NL West champion San Diego Padres to manage the Giants.

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