Burnett Passes His First Test, Garcia Up Next

Burnett delivers a curveball for strike three on Wednesday

In a post-game interview with YES' Kim Jones on Wednesday, starter A.J. Burnett was humble and admitted he had a lot of hard work ahead of him before his pitches are ready for prime time.

That being said Burnett did a fine job yesterday in his first appearance of the spring schedule. Facing the Houston Astros in Tampa, Burnett allowed a pair of hits in two scoreless innings and showed off his new modified delivery. He referred to his leg movement as a "swinging gate", something new pitching coach Larry Rothschild has worked with Burnett on during the winter.

Right now Burnett realizes he always has to get used to the new delivery so that he's not thinking about it while he's on the mound, and that's what spring training will take care of.

The Yankees took care of the Astros with a five run 9th inning thanks to poor defense and lack of pitching command by the Astros' kids. Down 5-1, Russell Martin started the inning off by reaching on an error by 3rd baseman Michael Kvasnicka. Dan Brewer followed with a sharp grounder that ate 2up nd baseman Jonathan Villar for a base hit, though it too could have called an error.

Shortstop Jiovanni Miller then got into the act with a throwing error that allowed Martin to score and Brewer to reach third to cut the Astros lead to 5-2. A wild pitch by Doug Arguello allowed another run to score before Melky Mesa's 2-run single tied things up.

Mesa was thrown out stealing for the inning's first out, but Eduardo Nunez hit another sharp grounder through Villar for a base hit and Kevin Russo followed with a walk. Bradley Suttle hit a potential inning ending double play grounder, but Kvasnicka bobbled the ball at third and could only get Suttle at 1st base for the second out.

When Brandon Laird walked to load the bases, former Yankees prospect Lance Pendleton came on to face Martin as the Yankees batted around. Pendleton threw just four pitches, one which could have gone for a strike, and walked in the winning run. It was a no pie walk-walk off 6-5 victory, and a good day all around.

Hector Noesi continued to impress with two scoreless innings; Joba Chamberlain put two men aboard in his one inning of work, but got a double play grounder to escape the jam.

Freddy Garcia will toe the rubber today for the Bombers as they play the Rays in Port Charlotte (1:05 ET). Dellin Betances and Ivan Nova will also be among the hurlers Joe Girardi puts out there today.