New York Yankees

The New York Yankees tied today’s Spring Training contest against their cross town rivals, the New York Mets. 

  • New York Yankees: 4 (2-5-1)
  • New York Mets: 4 (3-3-2)
  • Grapefruit League, Final Game Box Score
  • Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie, FL

By Christian Kouroupakis

The New York Yankees sent Ivan Nova to the hill to make his second spring start, and the New York Mets sent Jacob deGrom to the mound for his first live appearance of 2016.

Nova impressed in his outing, going three innings and only allowing three hits and struck out one. Nova is trying to earn a starting rotation spot while attempting to prove his injury is behind him. The righty went 6-11 with a dismal 5.07 ERA in 2015, his first year back from Tommy John Surgery.

Yankees’ third baseman Chase Headley got the scoring started today with a single into right field to drive in Aaron Hicks to put the Yankees up 1-0.

James Kaprielian, one of the most promising arms in New York’s farm systems, relieved Nova in the fourth and turned in a disappointing performance. Although he had no help from his teammates behind him, he gave up four runs (two earned) on four hits and the righty walked two in 1 2/3 innings pitched.

TJ Rivera doubled off Kaprielian to drive in Alejandro De Aza and Kevin Plawecki to put the Mets up 2-1. Two batters later, Asdrubal Cabrera grounded out and Rivera scored to extend the Amazins lead to 3-1.

Yoenis Cespedes, the next batter, drove in Curtis Granderson to finish off the rally with the Mets ahead 4-1.

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Nick Goody, Johnny Barbato, Branden Pinder, Mark Montgomery, and Jacob Lindgren fixed the situation and combined for 5 1/3 innings of three hit ball with three strikeouts.

The Yankees seemed as if they were going down without a fight, but in the top of the ninth, but they would not go out without a fight.

Kyle Higashioka hit a towering home run to left to pull the Yankees within one, and then Sebastian Valle followed with a game tying solo bomb.

The Yankees went quietly in the tenth, but the Mets loaded the bases in the ninth with a two out rally starting with a Nevin Ashley single to right. Ty Kelly followed with a walk, and Plawecki was hit on the left foot to load ’em up.

The rally came up short, however, as Rivera flied out to the Yankee center-fielder Lane Adams to end the contest with a tie.

Dustin Ackley and newest addition Chris Parmelee both went 2-for-3, but the team as a whole went 9-for-38 including 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

It was just a typical spring training game, nothing too exhilarating but one aspect that should have the Yankees upset were the fielding woes. Potential back-up catcher Gary Sanchez and shortstop Jorge Mateo both made errors that led to runs.

The Yankees next game will be tomorrow afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles. Game time is 1:05 from Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasots, Florida and Bryan Mitchell will get the starting nod for the bombers.

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