Yankees-Pirates 1:05 (3/13)

The Yankees travel to Bradenton today to take on the Pirates in a 1:05 start. Jaret Wright gets the starts for the Pinstripes, while lefty Sean Burnett (correction) goes for the Bucs. Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada, and Andy Phillips are scheduled to make the road trip.

The Yankees got some good news from yesterday's loss to the Indians on Sunday. Tanyon Sturtze saw his first exhibition action of the spring. Though he threw one scoreless inning, the bigger news was that he was completely pain free for the first time in a long time.

More good news came from a side bullpen session where Carl Pavano threw 40 pitches in his continued rehab. Pavano mixed up his pitches and felt good about where he's at. Though he's still expected to start the season on the DL, the Yankees expect him back soon rather than later. Pavano's season will be a key to the Yankees season.

Jason Giambi could have returned to the lineup today, had the Pittsburgh Pirates been willing. The Yankees submitted a request to use the DH in the National League ballpark, but were turned down by the Pirates. How nice of them. Giambi will be back in the lineup tomorrow against the Cardinals.

Update 1:30

Yankees lead 1-0 in the first on a Bubba Crosby solo home run.

Update 1:55

The Pirates reached starter for a pair of runs in each of the first two innings, to lead 4-1 after 2 1/2.

To me this is a good sign, because there's no way I want Wright taking a spot in the rotation.

Update 2:25

The Pirates tacked on 4 more in the 3rd. Joe Randa's home run off of Wright being the big blow. Pirates lead it 8-1 after four.

Update 2:45

Jeromy Burnitz smacked a solo shot off of Scott Proctor - after 5, Pirates lead 9-1.

Yankees Home Run Rally Falls Short 3:55

The Yankees hit five home runs, four over the final two innings, but still fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-8. Bubba Crosby's solo home run in the first gave the Yankees their only lead 1-0. Jaret Wright was roughed up for a pair of runs in each of the first two innings and Joe Randa took Scott Proctor deep as the Pirates built a 9-1 lead.

Mitch Jones in the eighth to cut the deficit to 9-3, and then Jones, Eric Duncan and Kevin Thompson each hit long balls in the ninth to bring the Yankees within a run, 9-8. Three of the home runs came off of former Met Scott Strickland. The rally would end there, however, as Matt Whiteside came in to save Sean Burnett's victory.

Game Notes

Jaret Wright's pitching line was a true nightmare. 3 IP, 11 hits, 8 runs (all earned), 1 walk, and no strikeouts. What a great signing he was. Ron Villone and Ramiro Mendoza each worked a scoreless inning.

Mitch Jones, the perennial minor leaguer, had 3 hits, including a pair of home runs, and 3 RBI. Eric Duncan had hits in both his at-bats, including his second home run of the spring. Bubba Crosby's home run lead off the ballgame.

Joe Randa homered and drove in 3 for the Pirates, while Sean Casey added 2 hits and an RBI.