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Yankees’ Game Recaps: Split Squads On March 14th

By Antonio Mendes

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Today the New York Yankees split squads to take on the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. Each team had a fair share of starters, and there were standouts from each game. Good signs came from each squad, one being at George M Steinbrenner Field, the other at the Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin.

Tigers vs. Yankees

The growing Michael Pineda took the mound for the Yanks, and continued to impress to say the least. Three no-hit innings, four Ks, and one walk (and for what it’s worth he was picked off). Pineda’s command was key, and he seems comfortable enough to do what he wants.

As for the Tigers their starter was Kyle L0bstein, giving up a run and three hits. The Yankee who helped get that run was Mason Williams who also continues to show talent. He hit a lead off triple, and was then sac flied in by Didi Gregorius.

In the fourth inning Dellin Betances came in and gave up a double, and balked Rajai Davis to third. He then scored on a groundout to shortstop. Competing for the closer position with Dellin is Andrew Miller who would come in during the fifth inning, and toss a perfect one with two Ks.

With a tie game heading into the sixth inning, the bats came alive for the Yankees starters. Didi, Chase Headley, and Stephen Drew started the side with three straight singles. This was followed by a Mark Teixeira  potential double play ball, but with a throwing error to first two runs scored instead. The last run for the day would come on a balk, with Slade Heathcott scoring from third. However the sixth inning was enough as the Yankees beat the Tigers 4-1 in Tampa.

Pineda is looking nothing but sharp this spring training, the Yanks couldn’t ask for more with the rotation being a question packed area on the team. The Yankees can only hope he maintains the control and consistency throughout the spring into the regular season. Another player to look at is  Williams. Though only 12 At Bats he has a .333 BA, three doubles, one triple, and two RBIs. This is already better than his 2014 spring in which he has 26 ABs.

Yankees vs. Blue Jays

As the Yankees took on the Tigers in Tampa, the other squad was across the bridge taking on the Blue Jays. This was Alex Rodriguez’s first road game of the spring, as he got the start at third with Headley up in Tampa.

Former Blue Jay and budding candidate for maybe the 5th spot in the rotation, Esmil Rodgers got the start for the Yankees. While giving up a double in the first inning, he didn’t give up a run through three IP. The Yankees and Blue jays would stay scoreless until the sixth inning when Tyler Webb gave up two hits and a walk. Just that run would be enough to win the game for the Jays however, 1-0.

Alex Rodriguez went 1-3 on the day with a wall ball for his only hit. The Yankees would only have 5 hits on the day as it was. While the hitting was not there, as Pineda showed control in Tampa, Rodgers showed the same in Dunedin.

With the injury to Chris Capuano, Esmil continues to put himself in the category to start for that 5th rotation spot. Esmil Rodgers had very lethal work from the bullpen last year, and was one of the underrated arms on the team. It’s no surprise the Yanks are now considering him to replace Capuano.

Who says Spring Training doesn’t matter?

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