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Sunday's Game
2006-03-12 19:10
by Cliff Corcoran

The Yankees brought their starters on the road for a change, but still lost to the Indians 7-5 thanks to the arrival of the real Scott Erickson.
Lineup:

Bubba Crosby CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Gary Sheffield DH
Hideki Matsui LF
Andy Phillips 1B
Kelly Stinnett C
Russ Johnson 3B
Kevin Reese RF
Felix Escalona SS

Subs: Eric Duncan 1B, Kevin Howard 2B, Ramiro Pena SS, Omir Santos C, Kevin Thompson LF, Melky Cabrera DH, Mitch Jones PH

Pitchers: Shawn Chacon, Sean Henn, Jose Veras, Tanyon Sturtze, Mike Myers, Scott Erickson

Bit Hits: Just a double by Melky Cabrera (1 for 1), Felix Escalona (2 for 3) was the only Yankee with a multi-hit day.

Who Pitched Well: Jose Veras pitched a perfect fifth inning striking out one, Tanyon Sturtze needed just eight pitches in his first game action of the spring, pitching around one hit for a scoreless sixth.

Who Didn't: Sean Henn gave up four runs on four hits and four walks in a single inning, Scott Erickson blew the game by giving up three runs (two earned) on a walk and three hits including a homer by Todd Donovan. Shawn Chacon struck out three in three scoreless innings, but walked four, hit one and allowed two hits in the process. Joe Torre hinted before the game that Chacon has made the rotation, leaving Wang and Wright to battle it out for the fourth spot, with Pavano lined-up to claim the fifth spot which won't be required until April 15.

Ouchies: Tanyon Sturtze made his spring debut. Jason Giambi (calf) started running on Friday and participated in full workouts over the weekend, but won't return to game action until Tuesday because there will not be a DH in today's road game against the Pirates. Carl Pavano threw 40 pitches, all from the rubber in his fourth bullpen session of the spring.

Second Cut, Part Two: Danny Garcia and Darrell Rasner were also reassigned to minor league camp before Saturday's game. Garcia was an afterthought in the infield picture, but Rasner, who pitched well in two appearances (4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 4 K), should be on the short list of call-ups should injuries create room on the pitching staff. Rasner was on Jaret Wright's schedule in the spring rotation.

WBC: Alex Rodriguez (2 for 5) came through with a bases-loaded single with two out in the bottom of the ninth to drop Japan 4-3. Jeter was 1 for 3, Damon struck out in a pinch-hit at-bat.

Comments
2006-03-12 20:58:14
1.   mikeplugh
A-Rod with the big hit for the US, and don't forget to mention that Big Papi was invisible in the Dominicans' 7-1 loss to Bernie's Puerto Rico (Bernie was 0-5).
2006-03-12 22:01:52
2.   Jen
So, did anyone else cringe a bit when Jeter got plunked?
2006-03-13 00:15:37
3.   mikeplugh
Yes. If it was in the elbow I would have passed out, but I never like to see our Captain hit in the back.
2006-03-13 05:26:34
4.   jeterluva
I was delighted to see Arod come through in a pressure packed moment hopefully he will be able to continue to do that. As for Jeter getting hit I saw the season flash before my eyes. He is such an important player to us. He's always willing to do the little things.
2006-03-13 05:57:16
5.   Knuckles
Most everything's been said about the Japan game but one closing comment. Does anyone else dig the matte (non-glossy) helmets they have? They'd look pretty sweet in navy blue with an interlocking NY.

Tony getting shot was nuts- season is shaping up very nicely, if you can judge by the first episode. Surprising they didn;t drag the Gene story arc a little further on into the season.

2006-03-13 08:08:52
6.   atc
Who was the woman having dinner w/ Carmela? The one who said she liked Vetts better than Porches?
2006-03-13 09:09:27
7.   Sliced Bread
atc, that was Big Pussy's widow. She's running his body shop now.
2006-03-13 09:12:19
8.   Cliff Corcoran
Knuckles 5, I completely agree about the dull-finish helments. In fact, I think I mentioned it in a post earlier this month.
2006-03-15 17:01:20
9.   Schteeve
I found two thing completely unbeliveable about the Japan game.

1) The Japanese got robbed. There's no way that guy left 3rd early.

2)Obviously the game winning hit was some sort of CGI wizardry, since anyone with a brain knows that A-Rod can't come through in the clutch.

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