Yanks Go Yard Recap: New York Yankees Split A Doubleheader In Cleveland

If you were to tell the Yankees today that they were going to split a doubleheader today on a day that was supposed to be an off day, with the first game starting at noon, I think they would take that and run. The Yankees did just that in Cleveland today, making up the two games that were rained out in April.

Feb 20, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees

(96) during photo day at Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees lost the early game 1-0 on a Jason Kipnis solo homer in the first inning. David Phelps got the start. He went 6.2 innings, striking out seven, but walked five. Justin Masterson completely shut down the Yankees offense. He went the distance giving up four hits, walked three and struck out nine.

Game two was a completely different story. Jayson Nix and Robinson Cano singled. Vernon Wells grounded into a force out that allowed Nix to score from third in the first. The Yankees broke the game open though in the seventh. Corban Joseph led off the inning with a double for his first major league hit. After a popout, Austin Romine doubled to bring home Joseph and knock out Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer. Brett Gardner walked. Jayson Nix followed with a single to bring home Romine. After a strikeout, Wells singled to bring home a run and Overbay doubled home two. Ben Francisco then reached on Mark Reynolds‘ error to bring home the final run of the game and give the Yankees a 7-0 lead.

Vidal Nuno got the start and went five innings, only giving up two hits and walking three. He earned his first major league win, and Adam Warren got his first major league save, pitching the last four innings. Warren gave up two hits and struck out four.

The Yankees return home to face the Seattle Mariners. A battle of aces kicks off the series and Felix Hernandez will face CC Sabathia at 7:05.

Notes: In between games, Brett Marshall was called up and Brennan Boesch was sent to AAA. This move may pave the way for Curtis Granderson to be activated for tomorrow’s game.