Yanks Go Yard Recap: Pitching Falters As New York Yankees Lose In Toronto

The two main competitors for the fifth starter spot this spring for the New York Yankees were Ivan Nova and David Phelps. Both were involved in the loss today as Nova again struggled, and Phelps blew hold of a lead as the Toronto Blue Jays salvaged a game in the weekend series, winning 8-4. Nova gave up four runs and walked four in just five innings of work.

March 12, 2013; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(47) in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The trouble came right away when Munenori Kawasaki led off with a 40 ft infield single and Melky Cabrera followed with a single of his own. Two batters later, Edwin Encarnacion grounded into a force out at second, but the shift caused Eduardo Nunez to throw the ball into the stands and not turn two. In the second, Colby Rasmus singled and Brett Lawrie followed with a double. Two batters later, Kawasaki hit a sac fly to make it 2-0.

The Yanks fought back in the third, when Chris Stewart hit one off the foul pole to lead off the inning. The Yanks then took the lead in the fifth. Stewart, Robinson Cano and Vernon Wells each singled to load the bases. After Travis Hafner‘s popout, Josh Johnson lost the strike zone and walked Lyle Overbay and Eduardo Nunez to force in two runs.

The Yanks tacked onto the lead in the sixth. Jayson Nix led off with a single and went to second on a wild pitch. Stewart bunted him to third and Brett Gardner brought him in with a sac fly. That would be the last of the Yankee offense on this day.

Adam Lind led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk and J.P. Arencibia followed with a double. Boone Logan was brought in to pitch to Rasmus and Rasmus greeted him with a single to tie the game. Phelps was brought in and promptly gave up a double to Lawrie which gave the Jays the lead. After two straight outs, Cabrera drove in Lawrie with a single.

The Jays added to it in the seventh, when Lind drew another walk and Arencibia hit his seventh homer of the year.

The Yankees go from one domed stadium to another, as they begin their season series with the Tampa Bay Rays. CC Sabathia and Matt Moore will duel at 7:10ET.