#StartSpreadingTheNews pic.twitter.com/gQzj4tmTVK
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 16, 2016
The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night after scoring five runs in the top of the eighth inning to pull away with a victory.
- New York Yankees: 6 (4-8-2)
- Boston Red Sox: 3 (5-8)
- Grapefruit League, Final, Box Score
- Jet Blue Park, Fort Myers, FL
By Christian Kouroupakis
There’s nothing like beating your arch rivals, even if it’s only Spring Training.
The New York Yankees sent starting pitcher Ivan Nova, who’s competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, to the hill.
Nova was impressive after turning in four innings, striking out four, walking one, and only gave up one earned run.
“It was a good outing,” Nova told Ian Browne of MLB.com. “Today, again, a lot of strikes. Commanded my fastball. Happy with it.”
The Yankees should be impressed by his spring so far (he owns a 2.00 ERA), but signs are still pointing to CC Sabathia getting the fifth spot no matter what.
Bryan Mitchell, who very well may be the replacement to the durable Adam Warren, relieved Nova in the fifth and pitched three innings allowing no runs on one hit while striking out one. Nick Rumbelow and Nick Goody pitched the eighth and ninth inning. Both Nicks allowed a run each, but they were able to close the game out relatively smoothly.
Boston struck first after Rusney Castillo came in to score when David Oritz grounded into a double play first inning. The Yankees’ bats were quiet until the Aaron Hicks stepped into the plate against David Price in the top of the third.
.@AaronHicks31 sends one to the bullpen: https://t.co/NWRQtz8OYk #NYYSpringhttps://t.co/ZO8nEi8EM7
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 15, 2016
Hicks cranked an opposite field home run to right center field to knot the game up at one. That was Price’s only blemish as he struck out six batters in four innings of work.
The contest was at a 1-1 standstill until New York rallied in the eighth against Robbie Ross Jr.
Former New York Met Cesar Puello got the scoring started with a two run double into center field that scored Jonathan Diaz, and Ben Gamel to put the Bombers ahead 3-1.
All the runs! #Yankees hang a 5 spot on the Red Sox in the 8th, now lead, 6-1! #NYYSpring
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 16, 2016
Puello ended up scoring after Ross made a throwing error on after a high chopper back to the mound off the bat of Juan Silva. Two batters later, after a Ronald Torreyes walk, Cito Culver doubled to left to score Silva and Torreyes. That gave the Yankees a 6-1 lead that they wouldn’t let up. They went on to win 6-3.
Other notes include Dustin Ackley’s 2-for-3 day, and Rob Refsnyder’s mistake free day as the third baseman. Neither will be starters on opening day, but are considered top options if an injury occurs in the regular season.
The Yankees are back at it on Wednesday night as they head back to Tampa to host the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is at 6:35 on the YES Network, and Nathan Eovaldi will get the starting nod.
RECAP: @AaronHicks31 homers, @IvanNova47 looks strong as #Yankees top Red Sox. https://t.co/YgcD1aWzCk #NYYSpring pic.twitter.com/KFo4q8AqyP
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 16, 2016
