The Yankees split a pair of split-squad games yesterday. Since the home game against the Rays got all of the coverage, let’s start with the road game against the Tigers.
Lineup:
L – Johnny Damon (LF)
S – Melky Cabrera (CF)
L – Robinson Cano (2B)
L – Jason Giambi (DH)
R – Jose Molina (C)
R – Morgan Ensberg (3B)
R – Jason Lane (RF)
R – Cody Ransom (1B)
R – Alberto Gonzalez (SS)
Pitchers: Joba Chamberlain, Ross Ohlendorf, Kyle Farnsworth, Scott Strickland*, Brian Bruney, Jose Veras
Subs: Juan Miranda* (1B), Reegie Corona* (2B), Chris Woodward (SS), Kyle Anson (PH/C), Colin Curtis* (RF), Tim Battle* (CF), Justin Christian (LF), Carlos Mendoza* (DH)
Opposition: The Tigers’ starters.
Big Hits: A solo homer by Kyle Anson (1 for 2) off Jason Grilli. Doubles by Jason Lane (1 for 3) and Robinson Cano (2 for 4) off Justin Verlander. Doubles by Morgan Ensberg (3 for 5) and Cody Ransom (2 for 3). Melky Cabrera was 2 for 4, Jose Molina was 2 for 3.
Who Pitched Well: Brian Bruney pitched around a single for a scoreless inning, striking out two and walking none. Kyle Farnsworth pitched around a single and a Miguel Cabrera double for two scoreless innings. Though he struck out none, he did get five of his six outs on the ground.
Who Didn’t: Joba Chamberlain walked three men in three innings, gave up a single and a solo homer to Curtis Granderson, and allowed a pair of singles. All totaled, he gave up three runs in those three frames, though he did get seven of his nine outs via strikeout (2) and groundball (5). Ross Ohlendorf allowed two runs on three hits, including a solo homer by Granderson (who had 11 total bases on the day), however an error rendered both runs unearned and Ollie got two of his three outs on the ground. Jose Veras gave up a solo homer to Timo Perez in the ninth. That was Veras’s only baserunner, but Timo Perez?! For the curious, minor league loaner Scott Strickland gave up a run on two hits in the seventh.
Nice Plays: The 4-6-3 trio of Robinson Cano, Alberto Gonzalez, and Cody Ransom turned three doube plays.
Oopsies: An error by Cano.
Ouchies: Jason Giambi returned to action after complaining of back stiffness and went 0 for 3, but scored a run and drove one in.
Lineup:
L – Brett Gardner (CF)
R – Derek Jeter (SS)
L – Bobby Abreu (DH)
R – Alex Rodriguez (3B)
L – Hideki Matsui (LF)
S – Jorge Posada (C)
R – Shelley Duncan (1B)
S – Wilson Betemit (2B)
L – Greg Porter (RF)
Pitchers: Ian Kennedy, Mariano Rivera, LaTroy Hawkins, Kei Igawa, Eric Wordekemper*
Subs: Bernie Castro (2B), Eduardo Nuñez* (SS), Nick Green (3B/1B), Marcos Vechionacci* (3B), Chad Moeller (C), Jose Tabata* (RF), Austin Jackson* (CF), Matt Carson* (LF), Jason Brown (PH/DH)
Opposition: Four of the Rays’ starters (the Rays were also playing split-squad games).
Big Hits: Doubles by Alex Rodriguez (2 for 2), Jorge Posada (1 for 1, sac fly), and Chad Moeller (1 for 2). Brett Gardner was 2 for 3 with another stolen base.
Who Pitched Well: No one was great, but LaTroy Hawkins survived two walks for a scorless, hitless fifth inning, getting two of his three outs on the ground and the third via a caught stealing. Ian Kennedy was inefficient and allowed two runs and five baserunners while throwing 57 pitches in just three innings, but the two runs both came on solo homers (by Eric Hinske and a wind-blown shot by Chris Richard), he only allowed one other hit (a single) and struck out five in those three frames. Mariano Rivera only allowed a single, but that runner came around to score.
Who Didn’t: Kei Igawa gave up three runs in three innings on five hits, four of which went for extra bases (two doubles, a triple and a monster solo homer by Hector Gimenez). He struck out just one, though he didn’t walk any.
Oopsies: Austin Jackson misplayed a ball in center.
Feud Fallout: Shelley Duncan and Akinori Iwamura both played without incident. Jonny Gomes was kept home to play with the Rays’ other split squad. Melky Cabrera says he didn’t hit Evan Longoria and will appeal his suspension. Sticking to his story, Duncan will appeal as well. In the fourth inning, third base coach Bobby Meacham sent Alex Rodriguez into a sure out at home plate (he switched to a stop sign too late) and Rodriguez simply cruised to a stop in the baseline rather than try to bowl over Josh Paul, who was bracing for a hit.
Roster News: rehabbing first-year hurler Andrew Brackman was officially placed on the 60-day disabled list and lefty reliever Billy Traber was added to the 40-man roster. This doesn’t mean that Traber has made the 25-man roster, but it certainly tips things in his favor, as Sean Henn’s primary advantage over Traber was the fact that he was on the 40-man and out of options.
*players on loan from minor league camp
