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Yankees 10, Phillies 5
2007-03-04 14:27
by Cliff Corcoran

Once the legendary Cole Hamels left the game, the Yankees broke out the whoopin' sticks to run their spring record to 4-0. The deets:

Lineup:

L - Johnny Damon (CF)
R - Miguel Cairo (SS)
L - Jason Giambi (DH)
R - Jose Tabata (LF)
L - Robinson Cano (2B)
R - Angel Chavez (3B)
S - Melky Cabrera (RF)
L - Doug Mientkiewicz (1B)
R - Wil Nieves (C)

Pitchers: Carl Pavano, Jeffrey Karstens, Chase Wright, Jose Vizcaino, Colter Bean, Mike Myers, Kevin Whelan

Subs: Juan Miranda (1B), Alberto Gonzalez (PR/2B), Chris Basak (3B), Raul Chavez (C), Bronson Sardinha (PR/RF), Kevin Reese (PR/CF), Eric Duncan (DH)

Opposition: The second-place Phillies' starters.

Big Hits: The Yankees got fifteen hits, but just one went for extra bases, that being an RBI double by Kevin Reese (1 for 2, BB); Melky Cabrera broke an 0 for 8 by going 3 for 3 and Bronson Sardinha went 2 for 2 giving the Yankee right fielders a combined 5 for 5 day.

Not Invited to the Party: Jason Giambi and Eric Duncan both went 0 for 3 to give the DH spot a combined 0 for 6. Alberto Gonzalez and Doug Mientkiewicz were the only other Yankees without hits, both going 0 for 2. Mientkiewicz is 0 for 6 with two walks in his three starts this spring.

Who Pitched Well: Jeff Karstens pitched two scoreless innings allowing just two hits (one a Pat Burrell double) and striking out one, he even got two groundball outs. Colter Bean pitched another scoreless inning allowing one hit and striking out one.

Who Didn't: Mike Myers couldn't close the door, allowing two runs on a walk and three hits in the ninth, but only getting two outs. Kevin Whelan came on to get a grounder for the final out.

Battles: Karstens outpitched Pavano, holding his own after the solid outings of Rasner and Ohlendorf. Nieves went 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI, he also gunned out Jimmy Rollins on the bases. Raul Chavez went 1 for 2 with a pair of RBIs.

Ouchies: Carl Pavano successfully pitched his two innings without incident. If he does it again on Friday, I'll take him off the 60-day DL on the sidebar. His line: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0 HR. Incidentally, Chase Wright did the same later in the game, but added a strikeout. Humberto Sanchez was supposed to pitch today, but the Yankees are being cautious with him. Lefty non-roster invitee Ben Kozlowski, who suffered an abdominal strain a week or so ago, is back in action.

Oopsies: Alberto Gonzalez booted a ball at second base, adding to Mike Myers' troubles. It was the first error by a Yankee position player this spring (Ron Villone made a throwing error in Friday's game).

Notes: It's been reported by both Peter Abraham and Jim Baumbach that Don Mattingly makes out the spring training lineups. After four games, all of the Yankees' starters have made three starts save for Jorge Posada who's made two, and Bobby Abreu who's made none due to his oblique injury. Playing in Abreu's place, Melky Cabrera has been the only Yankee to appear in all four games, starting all four. The non-starters who have started thus far have been: Josh Phelps (1B), Miguel Cairo (2B, SS), Angel Chavez (3B), Will Nieves (C), Kevin Thompson (RF), and Jose Tabata (LF, DH). I'm surprised to see Tabata, an 18-year-old who spent all of last year in the Sally League, get so much playing time. It shows you how high the organization is on him. Thus far he's gone 2 for 8 with a pair of walks (that's a solid .400 OBP), three Ks, a run scored, and an RBI.

Comments
2007-03-04 15:35:25
1.   yankz
That site never gets old. One of my favorites:

"Cole Hamels only pitches left handed because it was too easy pitching with his right."

2007-03-04 15:48:53
2.   RIYank
Nice to see Melky hit the ball. And Tabata is exciting, though 2 for 8 with 2BB is a .400 OBP. For the record.
2007-03-04 16:48:56
3.   Rich
When is Clippard scheduled to pitch?
2007-03-04 17:47:36
4.   Zack
Did that site come before or after the Chuck Norris one? I assume after?
2007-03-04 18:08:54
5.   Cliff Corcoran
2 Duh, I forgot to add the plate appearances.

3 I can only assume tomorrow, which will be Igawa's first start and complete the first trip through the rotation.

4 I assume after as well.

2007-03-04 19:14:33
6.   mikeplugh
Cliff...you have Jose Vizcaino listed on your roster. Jose Luis Vizcaino is an infielder on the Cardinals. Luis Arias Vizcaino is our new relief pitcher.

I've been making the same mistake repeatedly recently at COH and a reader corrected me.

2007-03-04 19:46:55
7.   Cliff Corcoran
6 Yeah, that's a mistake I'll be making a lot this year. Just like I did when Marcus . . . er Matt Lawton joined the team. I trust that the readers know who I mean. I guess bloggers need spring training too.
2007-03-04 21:34:29
8.   C2Coke
"If he does it again on Friday, I'll take him off the 60-day DL on the sidebar."

I once again cracked up when I read that.

2007-03-04 22:26:35
9.   mikeplugh
So, Tabata starts the season at A-ball presumably, with a ticket to Trenton by season's end, if all goes well. He'll project to AAA in 2008, with a potential late-season call up if he's on fire. 2009 Tabata cracks the MLB roster out of Spring Training and away we go.

That's what I have my fingers crossed for, to be honest. I'd love to see some homegrown position players taking over for the vets in the near future. Any word on what's happening with Betances this Spring?

2007-03-04 22:53:37
10.   yankz
"Damon laughed that the worst show of Pavano's command didn't even come on the mound; after Pavano completed his second inning of work, he attempted to elbow Damon in a friendly gesture. Whatever was Pavano's intended target, he missed by a long shot, catching Damon flush in the stomach."

Guess there's a lot he forgot.

2007-03-05 05:26:42
11.   The Mick 536
Whitehead hit Houdini in the stomach, thinking the magician could take a punch. Turned out Harry had a pre-existing appendix condition which the blow exacerbated. Not thinking he needed medical attention, no doctor was consulted. Houdini died from this careless horseplay, robbing the world of arguably one its greatest illusionists. No one heard from Whitehead again.

With Pavo's luck, he should be advised to keep his elbows to himself, yes?

2007-03-05 05:34:37
12.   Sliced Bread
Considering what the Yanks headlines could have been this morning it was good to see the NY rags having a little fun at Pavano's expense.

NY Post takes a backpage layup with: "Whew!" -- but does a nice job inside with: "Carl Takes A Sunday Drive."

NY Daily News strokes a backpage RBI double with: "Carl Pitches... And Lives!"

But the Deli Snooze kills the rally, getting caught stealing with its silly David Wright: "I'd Move For A-Rod" story.

You see Nieves threw out Rollins yesterday?
Not too shabby. Rollins was 36 for 40 last year.

Would have liked to see Miranda in action while we had a chance.

Game on at lunchtime today! Here's hoping work won't get in the way.

2007-03-05 06:16:03
13.   ny2ca2dc
12 Glad you mentioned Nieves nailing Rollins, I thought that was a real thing of beauty - perfect throw, dead by a good margin. Anyone else get pumped when that happens? Jorge had a couple beaut's like that last year, here's hoping for more. Is Nieves known for his defense (at least)?
2007-03-05 09:13:14
14.   Cliff Corcoran
13 If I recall correctly, Jorge's already thrown a couple of guys out this spring, including top Pirates prospect Andrew McCutchen on Saturday.

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