Chan Ho Lets Loose

Thanks to the Twitter and Blogger worlds for this wonderful post-game after the opening night loss in Boston.

CC Flirts With No-No

It was September, 1996. I was watching the Yankees-A's game and was marvelling at how David Cone had managed to throw 7 no-hit innings. After all, Coney, who still doesn't have a dance, was making his first start since having surgery for an aneurysm in his shoulder in early May.

The Yankees had a real shot at winning their first title in 18 years that season, having ended a 14 year playoff drought the previous October. That's what Joe Torre had in mind when he pulled Coney from the game despite the no-no in progress. Cone was on a 100 pitch limit that day, but Torre yanked him after 85 tosses. He wasn't going to risk his ace's arm for one day of regular season glory. That Mariano kid came on and lost the no-hitter, but he would more than make up for it in October. And Coney was around to throw a magnificent six innings in the tide turning game 3 win in the World Series. Oh, and the catcher that day in September...that would be Joe Girardi.

Flash forward to yesterday. Just the second start of the season for CC Sabathia, who saw his pitch count grow as he entered the 8th inning. Had the one of the Rays already reached safely on a base hit, CC would have been out of the game for sure. But spectacular plays by Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez had preserved the gem and Sabathia was just four outs away from "baseball immortality", to quote a certain baseball announcer.

Girardi and pitching coach Dave Eiland could be seen conferring as each Rays batter stepped to the plate. Clearly, the duo did not want to over extend their big man. Rays' catcher Kelly Shoppach ended all speculation with a hard single to left field to break up the no-hitter. It was Sabathia's 111th pitch, a fairly high count for April in these days of clickers and pitch counts. After the game, Girardi revealed that no matter what Shoppach had done, CC was done for the day.

And though it would have been an unpopular one, it would have been the right decision. There's no point in risking your ace's health and your season for one regular season moment of glory. All you have to do is look back at your own history to realize that.

Fenway Faithful Way off Base Booing Papi

"What have you done for me lately?" has always been a part of sports. In some towns more than others. One of those towns would be Boston. David Ortiz, 2-time World Series hero, has fallen on hard times and a large group of Red Sox fans aren't letting him forget about it.

During the recently concluded Yankees-Red Sox series, which the Yankees took 2 of 3 thanks to a Curtis Granderson home run off of Jon Papelbon (had to get that in), Ortiz heard boos like he's never heard before.

Perhaps some of the reaction has to do with the revelation of a failed steroid test last year. It's results have been called bogus by Ortiz. The leaked info came on the heels of a horrendous start (1 home run through May 31) by Ortiz, which was somewhat overlooked by the fans because the team was doing well.

But Boston got swept in the playoffs and their hated rivals won the World Series. When Ortiz went hitless in the first two games of the season, fans booed and Ortiz went ballistic when the Boston media went asked him about it.

“(Expletive) happens. Then you guys talk (expletive)," Ortiz said after the Sox' 6-4 loss to the Yankees Tuesday night. "Two (expletive) games already. (Expletive) are going crazy. What’s up with that, man? (Expletive). There’s (expletive) 160 games left.”

Manager Terry Francona thought about putting right-handed hitting Mike Lowell in the lineup Wednesday night against Andy Pettitte, but opted to stick with Ortiz. It paid off when Ortiz drove in the Sox only run, but some fans still booed when he made out in his other at-bats.

It brought me back to a Yankees-Red Sox game in April of 2004. Javier Vazquez, who makes his re-debut tonight against the Rays tonight, was facing Pedro Martinez. The Yankees were coming off a World Series to loss the Marlins the prior October.

Both Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams were booed by Yankees fans during the Sox 2-0 victory. Booed..in April. In New York. I was shocked. These were two vital cogs of four world championships and six pennants in the prior eight years. It still astounds me to this day. And I was just as suprised that the Sox fans were booing Ortiz this week.

Some guys should just not get booed. If a player has meant that much to your franchise why would you ever boo them? Beats me.

Mo to Entertain Retirement Thoughts?

He may have just been playing with the YES Network's Kim Jones, but in an interview on Monday, Mariano Rivera said he would think about retirement after this season. Then again, he's in the final year of a contract and this could all be for show.

Mariano Rivera talks with Kim Jones

Won and LOST

I'll admit it right off the bat. If this had been September or October I would have been glued to the Yankees-Red Sox game last night. But last night was Tuesday, which means LOST is on, and with just a handful of episodes remaining there was no way I was going to miss it. Even if Jack Shephard is a Red Sox fan.

The Yankees bullpen certainly made up for their poor night on Sunday, blanking the Sox over the final four innings. No outs were bigger than the two Joba Chamberlain recorded in the 8th inning. Midge-free, Joba was erratic on Sunday night, but last night he hit 97 mph on the gun, and blew away Adrian Beltre and J.D. Drew with a man aboard. And yes, fists were a pumpin'.

A.J. Burnett didn't look much better against the Sox than he did last year, but made his way through five innings with Jorge Posada behind the plate. His three earned runs allowed was better than the job turned in by Boston starter Jon Lester.

Lester struck out 2 of 3 in a dominant first inning. My personal pick for this year's Cy Young award faltered thereafter, allowing 3 runs in his 5th and final inning.

The Yankees took the lead for good in the 8th when Hideki Okajima walked Nick Johnson and Robinson Cano added an insurance tally in the 9th when he homered off Scott Atchison.

Yankees Notes

The finale of the three game series tonight is a rematch of the '09 ALCS - Andy Pettitte against then Angels pitcher John Lackey.

Alfredo Aceves picked up the win and is now 12-1 in his Yankees career.

Mariano Rivera picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless 9th.

Baseball is Back Baby

Despite the horror of losing the opener up in Boston, baseball is back. A fantastic opening day that saw new kids on the block, Godzilla striking in a new city, An MVP making his early MVP statement, and plenty of injured pitchers returning to the hill.

The new guy and the "old" guy everyone is talking about today though are Jason Heyward and Albert Pujols. Heyward, the Atlanta Braves phenom outfielder, hit his first major league home run in his first major league at bat - at the expense of Carlos Zambrano. And it was no wind blown shot either.



Pujols, meanwhile, was Pujols. 2 home runs, 3 RBI 4 runs scored. Just another day at the office for a guy whose contract next year could exceed Alex Rodriguez's (did I really just say that?).

Hideki Matsui will be sorely missed by Yankees fans and he reminded all of us of that fact last night. Batting against the Minnesota Twins, Godzilla went deep for his first Angels home run. And if you go back to the finale of the World Series, that is 3 home runs in the last 2 games he's played.

Former Yankees prospect Austin Jackson, dealt for Curtis Granderson, made his Tigers debut with a bunch of firsts. Double, hit, RBI, and run scored.

It was an up and down night for hurlers who missed the '09 season. Shaun Marcum breezed through the Rangers lineup before giving up a game tying 3-run home run to Nelson Cruz in the 7th. He ended up with no decision.

Ben Sheets had a rocky start in his Oakland A's debut, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, 4 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings. Sheets, who finished with 3 Ks, settled down after a shaky first couple of innings.

Johan Santana dominated Josh Josh Johnson and the Florida Marlins, 7-1. Santana allowed just 4 hits over 6 innings. Jake Westbrook would have liked those numbers, but the Indians pitcher got rocked for 5 runs, 5 hits, and issued 5 walks in just 4 innings of work. The Tribe fell to Mark Buerhle and the White Sox, 6-0.

The matchup of the day - which would be more interesting in mid-season, was the Tigers' Justin Verlander against reigning Cy Young Winner Zach Greinke of the Royals. Verlander (5 IP 4 ER) got no-decision and the Royals bullpen deprived Greinke (6 IP 1 ER) and the team of a win.

2010 Individual Award Predictions

Let's see how good or bad I can be this year at picking the top awards in the American and National Leagues.

AL MVP

The pick for the AL is a crapshoot. I don't expect anyone to put up Albert Pujols type numbers. There are plenty to choose from. But the top 3 finishers will be - Kevin Youkilis, B.J. Upton, and Alex Rodriguez.

And the winner is.......B.J. Upton
Upton had an off year in 2009. Bad shoulder, bad attitude, bad karma. Whatever it was, it was down year for Upton, who had a .790 OPS. I expected a big rebound this year. Now if someone could only get him to play deeper in the outfield (not against the Yankees though).

AL CY Young

Zack Greinke's numbers were phenomenal last year. He should be good again this year, though it would be difficult to match a 2.16 ERA in the AL. Felix Hernandez is beginning to reach his potential. Justin Verlander is back on top of his game, and CC Sabathia is always a front-runner.

But this year's CY winner? Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox. It's been difficult to root against this particular Red Sox player since he battled back from cancer. He's got a no-hitter and soon he'll have a CY Young to add to his resume.

AL Manager of the Year

You got to win it to be in it. Or at least turn things around for a woeful team. Mike Scioscia is a perennial favorite. Ron Gardenhire will be up there too for the Twins. Terry Francona and Joe Madden will be among the top vote getters. But the recipient of the 2009 award will be...

Joe Girardi. You saw it here first (perhaps). Girardi will snag the award as the Yankees beat out very strong Red Sox and Rays teams to win the AL East.

AL Rookie of the Year

The Carlos Santana era should begin soon in Cleveland. Wade Davis has made the starting rotation in Tampa Bay. Desmond Jennings could get the call to the Rays if Carl Crawford is dealt or injuries beset the team. Brian Matusz will get a chance to prove himself in Baltimore.

But the top rookie in the AL this year will be someone who made their debut last August. That would be the Texas Rangers' Neftali Feliz. The hard throwing right-hander should stock up on strikeouts and could move to the closer role if Frank Francisco falters. Then again, he may end up in the Rangers rotation too.

Comeback Player of the Year

Grady Sizemore tried to play through the pain of an injured elbow and strained ab, but the results were poor. This year we expect a return to 30-30 form for Sizemore, though his team will fall short of the playoffs.


NL MVP

We're not going to waste your time here. Albert. Pujols. Again. Pujols had another tremendous year in 2009 and is now in a contract year. Look out NL pitchers.

NL CY Young

Johan Santana is back for the Mets. Josh Johnson will continue to shine in Florida. The Card's due of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Clayton Kershaw is emerging in LA. And of course the top gunslinger right now is the Giants Tim Lincecum.

But the NL award goes to a former AL winner and newly minted NLer - Roy Halladay. He's in a hitter's ball park, but he's in the NL and that will put this stud over the top.

NL Manager of the Year

Charlie Manuel will have his Phillies on top again, Jim Tracy will continue his good job in Colorado, and Tony LaRussa's Cards will make the playoffs again.

But, and it's a sentimental pick, Bobby Cox will win it for the Atlanta Braves.

NL Rookie of the Year

Buster Posey should bust a move for the Giants. Stephen Strasburg should be all he's cracked up to be. And Mike Stanton will cut an imposing figure in Florida.

But the winner, probably picked by a lot of people, will be the young star to be in Atlanta. Jason Heyward.

There you have it..Right? Wrong? Check back with me in November or December.

Recipe for Disaster

Someone forgot to tell the Yankees that Spring Training was over. Staked to 5-1 and 7-5 leads, CC Sabathia and the Yankees pen blew both and the Boston Red Sox pulled out a 9-7 victory in the season opener at Fenway Park last night.

Twitter was on fire as the Yankees knocked around Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, who exited before the end of the 5th inning. Jorge Posada had three hits on the night and combined with Curtis Granderson on back to back home runs in the 2nd inning.

The Sox cut the lead to 5-2 in the 5th and then Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia, two of the Red Sox you love to hate, took over the game.

Youkilis' two run triple past Nick Swisher in right in the 6th, cut the margin to one before new Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre singled off of reliever David Robertson to tie the game.

The Yankees quickly took the lead back in the 7th on a run producing ground out by Robinson Cano and an RBI single by Posada. But Pedroia greeted Chan Ho Park with a two run blast atop the Green Monster to tie it again. Two batters later, Youkilis doubled, moved to third on Damaso Marte's wild pitch and scored when Posada mishandled a Marte delivery for a passed ball.

Posada gave the Yankees one more chance in the 9th when he singled off of Jonathan Papelbon, but Granderson grounded out to end the game.

Game Notes

CC Sabathia took the full blame after the game, saying "It was all on me," Sabathia said. "I was missing trying to make the perfect pitch." But he had plenty of help. The fans still love him though. A NY Post poll showed the fans felt Chan Ho Park (Notice Park spelled backwards is Krap?) and Joe Girardi over Sabathia.

Prior to the game, Girardi would not commit to his 8th inning man would be. Joba Chamberlain was shaky in his first appearance, allowing an insurance run.
Pedro Martinez threw out the ceremonial first pitch and received a rousing ovation. And they didn't leave him on the mound too long.

The teams are off Monday and will return to action Tuesday evening.

Yankees-Red Sox Opening Night Lineups

Courtesy of the NY Daily News' Mark Feinsand:

YANKEES

Derek Jeter, SS
Nick Johnson, DH
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Jorge Posada, C
Curtis Granderson, CF
Nick Swisher, RF
Brett Gardner, LF

CC Sabathia, LHP

RED SOX

Jacoby Ellsbury, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Victor Martinez, C
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Mike Cameron, CF
Marco Scutaro, SS

Josh Beckett, RHP

It's Just a Fantasy

With opening day night less than 24 hours away, the added excitement of rotisserie/fantasy baseball has the baseball juices flowing.

This is the 15th year of the Field of Rotisserie Dreams (FORD) league, the last about 11 of which I have been the comish. We had our draft this past Monday night- the first night time draft in league history. We usually do a Sunday morning thing, but schedules didn't allow this time around. Unfortunately, one person had to phone it in because they couldn't make it from out of state.

The league started with 8 teams, expanded to 10, and is now back to 8. We're American League only, and rotisserie points rather than head to head. Last year we expanded from a 4 x 4 league to 5 x 5.

The top 3 spots get money. I've won the whole league 4 times, including a 3-peat. I've also finished in 3rd place 3 times.

When drafted each player has a 3 year contract. You can extend it after 2 years and of course you can cut the player at any time (there are more specific rules about all that).

What I really like about our league is that is an auction rather than a round by round selection that is used in leagues like those Yahoo and CBS Sportsline. Minimum bid is a quarter. It's not a true auction in the sense that people are yelling bids out, but we go around the table and you increment the bid by whatever you'd like or drop out on that player.

Position eligibility is 18 games at the position in the prior season or the player will be a regular at a new position (e.g. Chone Figgins at 2nd Base this year). Your roster contains 23 players - 14 hitters, 9 pitchers. There's a 1,000 total minimum innings pitched to ensure you don't use a bunch of relievers to win WHIP and ERA.

So here's my team going in:

Keepers from last year:
C Matt Wieters
1B Mark Teixeira
CO Justin Morneau
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
OF Jacoby Ellsbury
OF Nick Swisher
OF Ryan Rayburn
OF Carlos Quentin
DH Hideki Matsui
P Justin Verlander
P David Aardsma
P Jason Frasor

And this year I drafted:
C Adam Moore
3B Kevin Kouzamanoff
MI Sean Rodriguez
OF Rick Ankiel
P Jeff Niemann
P Rafael Soriano
P Zack Greinke
P Scott Downs
P Tommy Hunter
P Nick Blackburn

Good luck in your leagues and happy fantasies.

Opening Night Eve

Written for Baseball Digest:

With the final out in today’s New York Yankees vs. Future Stars game, the Yankees packed up their belongings in preparation for the trip north to Boston for tomorrow night’s opener with the Red Sox.

Joe Girardi and the Yankees fans got a good look at the future in players like Jesus Montero and Slade Heathcott and ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte in the unique intrasquad game. The Yankees, whose lineup featured minor leaguers on both sides by the time the game concluded, topped their future (hey, at least they didn’t destroy their future) 9-6.

With the regular season starting Sunday night, that also means it was time for the Yankees to pare down the roster. The 25-man roster to start the season looks like this:

Pitchers:

CC Sabathia
A.J. Burnett
Andy Pettitte
Javier Vazquez
Phil Hughes
Mariano Rivera
Joba Chamberlain
Sergio Mitre
Damaso Marte
Alfredo Aceves
David Robertson
Chan Ho Park

Catchers

Jorge Posada
Francisco Cervelli

Infielders

Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Robinson Cano
Mark Teixeira
Ramiro Pena
Nick Johnson

Outfielders

Curtis Granderson
Nick Swisher
Brett Gardner
Randy Winn
Marcus Thames

Manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman opted to go with Sergio Mitre as a long man in the pen rather than keep either Royce Ring or Boone Logan as a second left-hander in the bullpen. Either could still be called up quicky if Damaso Marte’s cranky shoulder proves detrimental to the team as it did last season.

There was a big change in the team’s catching depth as well. With Jorge Posada bothered by a stiff neck and Francisco Cervelli slowed by a sore hamstring, there was speculation that veteran catcher Mike Rivera might make the squad out of Tampa.

Not only didn’t Rivera make the team, he was on the verge of being released. Rivera became expendable after former Yankee Chad Moeller was released by the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees quickly scooped him up as well former Diamondbacks catcher Robbie Hammock, and signed the pair to minor league deals. Meanwhile Cervelli’s hamstring felt good enough for him to travel with the big squad.

Prediction and Preview Time - AL East

It's that time of year again. The pretenders (the non-Chrissie Hynde Pretenders) will fall by the way side and the cream of the baseball crop will rise to the top. Time for some AL and NL previews and some post-season award predictions.

AL East

Why not start off with the toughest division in baseball - no, not the NL Central. The AL East is the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays. <--Period. Forget the Orioles. Forget the Blue Jays. They aren't going to sniff first place once the calendar turns to May. It likely it won't even take that long, but you can be tied for first with 1-0 mark. The Yankees have plenty on the line and some significant changes from last season. Gone are Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, two components of the team's 27th world championship. Added is Javier Vazquez to strengthen a solid rotation. Phil Hughes won a battle for the 5th starter spot, meaning Joba Chamberlain will be working out of the bullpen on a full-time basis.

Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson try to fill the void left by Damon and Matsui and the Yankees have a healthy Alex Rodriguez to start the season.

Question marks surround left field where Brett Gardner and Randy Winn will share most of the time, Johnson's health (that's unsavory sounding no matter how you spell it out), the lack of a veteran backstop for Jorge Posada, and the overall aging of a lot of the key players on the team.

The Red Sox had a 7-0 series advantage over the Yankees at one point last season. But April baseball doesn't make title winners. The Sox won 95 games, but still finished a distance eight games behind their NY rivals. Then came a three game sweep at the hands of the LA Angels, a team Boston normally manhandled in the post-season, in the wildcard series.

Injuries started to take their toll as the regular season wore on and still have some impact as the team enters the 2010 season. Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka will start the season on the DL and perennially injured Mike Lowell is hurting again.

To bolster the rotation, the Red Sox threw a load of money at veteran right-hander John Lackey, who will join Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield as the team breaks camp and heads north.

Beckett is the key to the Red Sox season. After a blazing start to the '09 season, he faltered down the stretch and regularly served up gopher balls. If healthy and consistent, Beckett, Lackey, and Lester are the best 1-2-3 punch in all of baseball.

The offense has taken a hit with the departure of Jason Bay and needs a re-emergence fromDavid Ortiz if the Sox are going to win the AL East or wildcard. Adrian Beltre and Mike Cameron could provide some spark, but the Sox will have the third best offense of the AL East "Big 3". Having Victor Martinez for a full season will certainly help.

Defensively, the Sox made a good move in bringing in Marco Scutaro to play shortstop and have a tremendous defensive infield. Cameron's acquisition allows the Red Sox to move the shaky glove of Jacoby Ellsbury to left field.

The Rays fell apart one year after winning the AL pennant. Just 84 wins left Tampa Bay in third place and in the dust. But this team should rebound this season. They had a positive start by winning 19 Spring Training games and B.J. Upton is healthy.

Upton's attitude came under fire at times last season, but his bad shoulder was more of a problem than his head. Evan Longoria is a stud and the Rays get regular contributions from Ben Zobrist, Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, and Jason Bartlett.

The Rays starting rotation may not have the pedigree of the Yankees and Red Sox pitchers, but Matt Garza, Jeff Niemann, and James Shields are a solid front three. 2008 #1 pick David Price and outstanding prospect Wade Davis round out the rotation.

The Rays' bullpen, so magnificent in '08, was a model of inconsistency last season. Tampa Bay has brought in veteran Rafael Soriano to take over the closer role. Soriano's ability is not in question, but keeping him healthy and on the field is. The Rays have to hope that solid lefty J.P. Howell isn't out too long with a tired left shoulder.

Crawford's pending free agency could be another issue as the season wears on. It's unlikely the Rays will be able to retain him after this season, so do they trade him in-season? If so, uber prospect Desmond Jennings may get a 2010 call up.

AL East stories from Toronto and Baltimore worth watching:

1. The progress of Matt Wieters at and behind the plate for the Orioles. After a slow start, Wieters hit well down the stretch and showed the power he is capable of producing.

2. The Blue Jays don't have Roy Halladay in the rotation for the first time since 2001. The Yankees are surely glad he's over in the NL.

3. Shaun Marcum's return to the Jays' rotation. Marcum pitched under the radar in putting up back to back solid years in 2007-08. Then came Tommy John surgery and many months of recovery. Marcum has worked his way back and has been rewarded with the opening day start for Toronto.

4. Will Brian Roberts' back problems be resolved or will he miss a good chunk of the season? Anyone who has ever suffered back pain knows how debilitating it can be. Roberts is suffering from a herniated disk that has limited his playing time this spring. The Orioles have brought in veteran Julio Lugo as a backup.

And the division winner is.......

The Yankees. Some would call it bias, but I see the Yankees winning the AL East once again with....the Rays finishing just ahead of the Red Sox for second place and the wildcard. But hey, what do I know.

Monument Park Needs An Addition

Anyone who knows me, reads this blog or my posts on Baseball Digest, knows that Bobby Murcer was my boyhood idol. He was THE MAN when the Yankees had next to nothing. I cried when he was traded and rejoiced when he returned.

I was saddened when he retired in June, 1983, but was ecstatic to learn he was joining the broadcast team. For years, I got to enjoy his enthusiasm, sense of humor, Oklahoma twang, and his love for all things Yankees.

And then felt the pain of his illness, which hit close to home, and subsequent passing.

Over the years his popularity was revitalized/rejuvenated. He was always a popular player, but as the Yankees created a new dynasty in the late '90's, the fans remembered what it was like in the lean years - the Declinasty that stretched from the mid 1960's to the mid 1970's. That Bobby was one of the few, along with Thurman Munson, Mel Stottelmyre, and Roy White that gave the Yankees something to root for.

All in all, Bobby spent most of his time from 1966 into 2008 as part of the Yankees family. It's for that reason that Bobby deserves a plaque in the new Yankee Stadium's Monument Park.

The thought of a plaque came to be a couple of weeks ago. I thought, I'll start a Facebook page! Should have known - there already is one. I think it is also time for a letter writing campaign to the Yankees front office. Lonn Trost would be the most likely recipient and perhaps Hal Steinbrenner and Randy Levine.

There are a whole lot of more important things going on in the country right now, but I for
one need something positive and non-polarizing to concentrate on. A plaque ceremony on Old-Timer's Day would be awesome!

Let's do this!

Yankees Start '10 in Walk Off

The temperatures in Tampa, Florida were unusually cold yesterday afternoon, but the New York Yankees were already in mid-Summer form. Prospect Colin Curtis belted a 3-run, walk off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Yankees a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the teams’ grapefruit league opener.

The walk off win became a staple of last year’s team that captured its 27th title and though it was just an exhibition game, the ironic outcome of yesterday’s game was lost on no one.

Chad Gaudin started for the Bombers and was followed by two of his fellow combatants for the 5th starter spot, Sergio Mitre and Al Aceves. The three combined to allow just one hit over six innings. A rough beginning by Jonathan Albadejo and a Yankees error helped the Pirates tie things up in the 7th after the Yankees had jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

But after lead off singles by fellow minor leaguers Brandon Laird and Jon Weber to start the 9th, Curtis hit a no doubt about (in fairness almost all home runs in the grapefruit league are no doubt about it due to the wind) blast off Virgil Vasquez to right-center for the game winner.

Ramiro Pena opened the scoring for the Yankees in the 6th with a solo home run. Nick Johnson added an RBI double and Weber drove in a third run in the inning with the first of his two singles. Former Yankees prospect was charged with all three runs.

Game Notes

The Yankees traditionally wore their pinstripes for the only time during spring training.

Curtis Granderson played centerfield and was 0-2 in his Yankees’ debut.