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Cano, Winfree Power Yankees Past Orioles 11-7
GAME 24
YANKEES 11, ORIOLES 7
Robinson Cano and David Winfree blasted three-run home runs and combined for seven RBIs as the New York Yankees powered their way past the Baltimore Orioles 11-7 on Monday night at a blustery Ed Smith Stadium in Saraota, FL.
Javier Vazquez (3-0) was touched for four runs in 5 1/3 innings but picked up the victory nonetheless. Jeremy Guthrie (0-4) took the loss.
The Yankees raised their spring ledger to 11-13 while the Orioles record dropped to 10-15.
YANKEE POSITIVES
- Cano’s home run in the first inning off Guthrie gave him two home runs, eight RBIs and he finished the game with a batting average of .341.
- Winfree, who only entered the game after first baseman Mark Teixeira was forced to leave the game with a contusion on his right arm after being hit by a pitch by Guthrie, drove in a run in the fourth on a groundout and added his three-run shot in the sixth inning to blow the game wide open. The home run travelled a good 410 feet to straightaway center. Winfree, who was acquired from the Twins, has had an impressive spring but is still ticketed to play for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
- Marcus Thames hit his second home run of the spring, a solo shot in the seventh inning. He has been coming on of late and the Yankees seem to be leaning on him to be the 25th man on the roster because he provides power off the bench.
- Francisco Cervelli reached base on all four of his at-bats, scored two runs and even stole a base.
- Nick Johnson, true to form, walked three times and scored two runs.
- Journeyman reserve catcher P.J. Pilittere connected on a solo home run in the ninth inning to give the Yankees four home runs in the game.
- The 11 runs the Yankees scored are the most runs they have scored in a game this spring.
- Joba Chamberlain pitched two-thirds of an inning and, despite giving up a scratch single, looked impressive striking out Brian Roberts to end the sixth inning.
- Chan Ho Park also pitched a scoreless inning and served notice to Chamberlain that the fight for the set-up role will not be easy.
THE NEGATIVES
- Derek Jeter did drive in a run on a fielder’s choice but was 0-for-5 and is now hitting .209 this spring.
- Vazquez hung a pitch to Adam Jones and Jones crushed it for a three-run home run in the fifth inning that brought the Orioles back to make it a 5-4 Yankees’ lead.
- Despite the 11 runs, the Yankees struck out 13 times (outfielder Greg Golson struck out three times) and the team was 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
- In his first three at-bats, Alex Rodriguez struck out with two on, grounded out to the pitcher with the bases loaded and flew out to center with two on to strand a total of seven runners. He did single in the sixth in his final at-bat.
- Royce Ring, bidding to become potentially a second left-hander in the bullpen, gave up a two-run home run to lefty Luke Scott in the ninth inning.
- This last item is decidely tongue-in-cheek: What’s wrong with Jon Weber? The former Rays outfielder has been making a habit of getting hits in his few at-bats this spring, But tonight Weber bounced out to the pitcher in the eighth inning to drop his average to .560 this spring. Come on, Jon!
DIAMOND NOTES
The reason for five of the six home runs hit in the game was a virtual gale-force 24 mph wind blowing out to left-center at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles also hit six doubles, many which were wind-aided shots off the outfield fences. . . . Despite the chilly (64 degrees) and windy conditions, the attendance of 8,208 was the largest crowd to ever attend a game at Ed Smith Stadium. On Saturday, the Yankees-Tigers contest drew 10,219, which is a record for Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, FL. The Yankees continue to draw record sellout crowds for the road contests this spring. . . . The Yankees said that Teixeira suffered a contusion on his right arm and is day-to-day. But they said he should be able to play in the April 4 opener with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. “It’s bruised. It should just be a day or two,” Teixeira told reporters after the game. . . . Guthrie not only hit Teixeira, he also hit Cervelli with a pitch in the fourth inning. That drew some sharp words from Yankees manager Joe Girardi: “If you are having a hard time commanding your fastball inside, I don’t think it’s the time to be working on it.” Guthrie also walked four batters. Kevin Millwood was quoted this spring in assessing Guthrie that he was “too nice” and he needed to “get mean” and start pushing hitters off the plate. Obviously, Guthrie is trying to do just that.
THE NEXT GAME
The Yankees will play a pair of games on Tuesday. One Yankees squad will travel to Lake Buena Vista, FL to take on the Atlanta Braves. CC Sabathia will get the start for the Yankees in his final tuneup before his Opening Day start on April 4. “Switch-pitcher” Pat Venditte is also expected to pitch for the Yankees. Venditte, a 20th round draft pick in 2008, throws left-handed and right-handed. Kenshin Kawakami will start for the Braves.
Game-time will be 1:05 p.m. EDT and there is no broadcast scheduled.
Meanwhile, another Yankees squad will play host to the Toronto Blue Jays at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The Yankees will start Sergio Mitre in that game. Left-hander Marc Rzepczynski will start for the Blue Jays.
Game-time will be 7:05 p.m. EDT and the YES Network will broadcast the contest.
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