Yankees vs Tigers, Phils (3/9)

The Yankees play their first split squad games of the Spring. The "main" game at Legends Field (1:15) will see Randy Johnson take on Kenny "I can't pitch in NYC" Rogers and his new team, the Detroit Tigers. The second group of Yankees will travel to Clearwater (1:05) to go up against the Phillies. Matt DeSalvo will get the start for the Bombers.

Notes

Scott Proctor was originally slated to start the Phillies game, but left the team to be with his wife who is in labor.

Carl Pavano and Octavio Dotel had mound session again yesterday, splitting their pitches between halfway up the mound and from atop the rubber. Joe Torre feels that Pavano may be ready to throw batting practice next week.

Jason Giambi hit off a tee yesterday, but Torre is holding him out of action until Saturday.

Update 12:00

Ramiro Mendoza, Kyle Farnsworth, and Ron Villone are also scheduled to pitch against the Tigers.

Update 2:20

Yankees trail the Tigers 5-1 after 3. Randy Johnson knocked around again. Touched for a 2-run HR by Chris Shelton in the 1st.

Better news from Clearwater, Yankees leading it 4-1. Eric Duncan hitting his first HR of the spring.

Update 3:30

Yankees lead the Phils 7-3 after 6 1/2 in Clearwater. Fans at Legends Field are seeing a stinker. Yankees trail 6-1 in the 8th and have managed just 1 hit.

Update 3:55

Final - Tigers 6 Yankees 1 (2 hits)

Clearwater - Yankees lead 7-3 in the 9th

Update 4:10

Yankees gain a split of the day with an 8-3 win over the Phillies. Shelley Duncan adding a home run in the 9th.

Game Notes

Yankees-Phillies: The Yankees banged out 17 hits, two of them by Eric Duncan, who had a grand slam. Danny Garica and Austin Jackson had 3 hits each. Shelley Duncan also homered.

Matt DeSalvo continued to impress, throwing 3-shutout innings, allowing a hit and a walk, and striking out 2. Mike Myers added 2-1/3 shutout innings.

Yankees-Tigers: Things weren't so rosy in Tampa, however, as the Tigers pasted the Yankees 6-1. The Yankees managed just 2 hits off of Kenny Rogers (3 IP) and 3 relievers. Chris Shelton, and former Yankee, Marcus Thames each homered, with Thames' shot coming off of Mariano Rivera. Rivera struck out the other three hitters he faced.

Randy Johnson started and was ineffective. Going four innings for the first time, the Unit allowed 5 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits, a walk, and a hit batsman. He struck out just 3. Ron Villone and Kyle Farnsworth tossed a scoreless inning each, before TJ Beam shut the Tigers down over the final two innings.