We Want a Pitcher, not a Belly Itcher

The Yankees have played a number of games since our last recap on Thursday - aka Billy Crystal day. Let's take a quick review of the pitching on those days.

Friday vs. Reds

Not a good day for Dr. Phil Good; the prized right-hander got tagged for 4 runs on 9 hits in just 2.2 innings. You wonder if signing 2,000 baseballs 2 days before affected Phil in any way. Heath Phillips, 2 runs in 1-3 of an inning and Chris Britton, 1 run in 1 inning, didn't help their causes.

On the plus side, A-Rod hit a 3-run bomb and Jason Lane drove in 2 as the teams played to a 2-2 tie.


Saturday vs. Rays, Tigers

Split squad day; IPK went out against the Rays, while Joba took the bus to Lakeland for the Tigers game. Kennedy had trouble controlling his fastball and it affected his overall performance, as did the wind, against the Rays. He gave up 2 runs in 3 innings, but did strike out 5. Kei Igawa further embarrassed himself with a 3 inning, 3 run performance. Hector Giminez's home run off Igawa nearly knocked over the black back drop in center field.

Mariano Rivera gave up his 1st run of the spring as his cutter wasn't quite as sharp, but it was still a decent performance. LaTroy Hawkins extended his spring scoreless streak to 6 innings. It was also nice to see Eric Wordekemper get his 1st inning of work in a big league game this season.

Rays took it 7-2 without incident, though some numb nuts (the pros, not us bloggers) actually thought that when Alex Rodriguez pulled up at home plate and was tagged out, he was trying to show the Rays up. Just plain dumb. He was out by 40 feet and he was NOT going to get hurt in an exhibition game.

The Yankees had their hitting shoes on in Lakeland, taking an 11-7 win, but it was not a good day for Joba Chamberlain. Though he hit 99-mph on the gun, Joba's control was not there. In a 3 inning effort, he walked 3, allowed 4 hits, and gave up 3 runs. Kyle Farnsworth had a big day though with 2 scoreless innings (word has it he could still move the next day too).

Justin Verlander didn't hold up his end of the 100-mph battle either. He was pounded for 7 runs in just 3.2 innings. Morgan Ensberg had 3 RBI and Kyle Anson hit his first home run of the spring. Curtis Granderson showed off his skills for the home crowd with a pair of home runs and a triple.

Sunday vs. Indians

It wasn't an A-Rod walk off blast, but the Yankees rallied for 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to beat the Indians on Sunday, 7-6. Nick Green delivered the game winner, a 2-run single that gave Darrell Rasner his 1st victory of the spring.

Chien-Ming Wang got the start and was inconsistent. He was not as bad as some pundits, who clearly didn't watch the game, have made it sound. Grady Sizemore's bash into the seats was definitely the exception. Most of the hits in the Indians' 3-run 2nd were not hard hit. Robinson Cano could/should have had 1 or 2 of them.

Scott Patterson continued to impress. He came in to get a quick inning ending double play in the 5th and retired the side in order in the 6th. He's allowed just 1 base runner in 6 innings this spring.

Rasner had a very mediocre 3 innings; 2 runs allowed on 5 hits, and has an 8.64 ERA this spring. He's a definite ticket to Scranton.