The New York Yankees defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 after mother nature cut the ballgame short in the fifth inning.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: 4 (7-20)
- New York Yankees: 5 (12-13)
- Grapefruit League, FINAL (5 inn), Box Score
- George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
By Christian Kouroupakis
In what was supposed to be two split squad games for the New York Yankees, only one of them was an official game.
New York sent CC Sabathia to the hill along with most of their starters against the Pittsburgh Pirates in their friendly confines of George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Masahiro Tanaka took the hill against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. That game was postponed due to lightning after just four innings.
Dustin Ackley hit a three run home run, Aaron Hicks hit a double, and the rest of the offense built up a 7-1 lead, but it would all go to waste as the contest was called before it became an official one.
We’re in a lightning delay here in Clearwater. #Yankees lead 7-1 through 4. #NYYSpring
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 29, 2016
Today’s #Yankees – Phillies game has also been called due to weather.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 29, 2016
Sabathia, in the game that counted, pitched four innings, gave up two runs on three hits, walked two, and struck out two. He’s still trying to prove there’s something left in the tank despite his best years being in the rear view mirror.
Nick Goody came on to relieve Sabathia in the fifth, but also surrendered two runs. One of those runs came off a home run by Jacob Stallings to right field. Thankfully, the Yankee offense built up a big enough lead to make that long-ball become a non-factor.
RELATED: Ackley, Teixeira Power Yankees Past Detroit
The Yankees got on the board first, in the bottom of the second courtesy of a two-run home run off the bat of Carlos Beltran. It was Beltran’s, who was the most consistent bat in the 2015 lineup, first home run of the spring as he looks to duplicate the year he had last season.
One inning later, Beltran would record another RBI. This time it was a sacrifice fly to right field to score Dan Fiorito.
.@carlosbeltran15’s two-run homer and sac fly help the #Yankees to a 5-0 lead over the Pirates. We’re in the 4th in Tampa. #NYYSpring
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 29, 2016
The offensive performance by the 38-year old outfielder would prove to be the difference maker as the game was called due to rain, and the Yankees won 5-4.
Today’s #Yankees – Pirates game has been called after 5 due to weather.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 29, 2016
Starlin Castro also had a big day, recording an RBI double to center to help raise his spring batting average to .390. He’s proving to be one of the greatest assets of this off season, providing the Yankees with a trusted second baseman.
Starlin Castro is hitting the snot out of every pitch he sees. He just smoked a double off the center-field fence. Woof.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) March 29, 2016
As a whole, the Yankee offense recorded five runs on six hits and left only one man on base. They were 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
After the ballgame, the manager Joe Girardi announced that pitcher Bryan Mitchell will be on New York’s opening day roster. In five games (three starts), Mitchell has a .061 ERA while striking out 11 batters in 14.9 innings of work.
He’ll most likely be that reliable arm to go long innings in relief while making an occasional start.
Joe Girardi says that Bryan Mitchell will be on the 25-man roster, likely out of the bullpen.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 29, 2016
The Yankees will head over to Kissimmee to face the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 PM ET. It’s not yet known who will start for New York, but Julio Teheran will be the Braves’ starting pitcher.
The Yankees only have six more days to get reps in, as Monday they will kick off the regular season at Yankee Stadium.
Classic Carlos. https://t.co/fMVcPF7Qut #NYYSpring pic.twitter.com/KeWfR881eK
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 29, 2016
