Yankees Lead Blown Away

For a while it appeared today's game in Sarasota, FL might end up with a higher score than the last Super Bowl. Strong winds and the Cincinnati Reds prevailed, 13-11, over the Yankees on Craig Tatum's seventh inning grand slam. It was the eighth home run of the day; the fifth by the Reds.

No Yankees pitcher escaped unscathed, with only Mark Melancon's ERA not affected as he allowed an unearned run. The Yankees had plenty of offense, but couldn't hold 2-0 and 11-8 leads.

Robinson Cano, Brett Gardner, and John Rodriguez all went deep for the Yankees, who banged out 19 hits. Cano and Derek Jeter led the way with three hits each, and Cano paced the RBI producers with four.

But after being handed a 2-0 lead in the first, Al Aceves became the first victim of the wind as Chris Dickerson hit the first of his two home runs to help put the Reds on top 4-3.

Brett Gardner hadn't hit a home run in 127 career at-bats, but he tied in the game third off of Aaron Harang with his second blast of the spring. The lead see-sawed and the game was tied 5-5 entering the sixth inning (Cano and J-Rod hit solo shots off of former Yankee reliever David Weathers.). The Yankees took their final lead with three runs against Francisco Cordero, but it would be short lived.

Box Score

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Damaso Marte are now all off to the World Baseball Classic.

Jason Johnson, who was diagnosed recently with retinal cancer, is expected to throw off a mound tomorrow.

CC Sabathia will pitch a simulated game tomorrow after rains prevented it today.

Jonathan Albaladejo had to leave the game after hitting being hit in the calf with a come backer. He's listed as day-to-day.

Jesus Montero strained his groin chasing down a passed ball, and have to leave the game as well.