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Yankees’ Game Recap: March 22nd

By Tyler Angelo

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The New York Yankees took on their cross town counter part the New York Mets in Sunday’s game. There is a lot of hype coming from the Mets’ camp in that they might have one of the best rotations in baseball. It would have been better if one of their top guns, Zack Wheeler, didn’t go down with a fully torn UCL that will require season ending Tommy John surgery. It is a bit too familiar for Mets’ fans as they watched their ace Matt Harvey sit out all of 2014 while he recovered from Tommy John.

However, on this Sunday, Mets and Yankee fans rejoiced with their pitching. The Mets saw Harvey throw 5.2 innings of two hit work while striking out four. The Yankees were more happy with what they saw compared to what the stat sheet showed. CC Sabathia looked great in his appearance and the front office, as well as the pinstripe world, got their hopes just a little bit higher for this season. Sabathia will be a key component in the rotation and his health is vital. He missed practically the entire 2014 season while recovering from knee surgery, but beyond that he has been a shell of his former self.

In Sunday’s game Sabathia looked like the ace that the Yankees brought in during 2009 to help them win another World Series. His fastball was sitting in the mid-90’s compared to being in the high 80’s last season. One of the reasons is that Sabathia came into camp this season back at his usual weight. Last year, he came into camp slim and in dropping weight so rapidly he lost power on his fastball. The rise in his velocity makes his put out pitch, the changeup, more effective. The speed difference when he pulls the string makes batters swing and miss. He was clocking his changeup at 84-MPH compared to his 95-MPH fastball. However, he was banged around and gave up four earned in 2.2 innings of work. Those runs came in on three home runs. Sabathia said he felt great but needs to get his wind up in check.

Scott Baker made an appearance in relief where he threw 4.1 innings of one hit ball. He struck out two in what was a positive showing. He was brought in for depth to support the brittle pitching rotation. Now that Chris Capuano is hurt and the fifth rotation spot is a battle, Baker has a chance to make a case for himself. If he does not start the season in the major leagues there is always the chance he gets the call during the season.

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The other news from a relatively quiet day was Jose Pirela leaving with an injury. In the bottom of the first Juan Lagares hit a shot to center field where Pirela gave chase. He ended up crashing into the center field wall on a sprint and then toppled to the ground where he banged the back of his head. Pirela was down for some time and Lagares ended up turning it into an inside-the-park home run. Pirela left the game with concussion like symptoms saying he was dizzy and nauseous with a headache.

The Yankees need Pirela back because he was proving himself useful as a competent utility man. He was competing for a spot at second base and could be used for depth in the outfield as well. Pirela is batting .370 this Spring and has been all over the field defensively.

Next: 14 Minor Leaguers Realeased

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