The Yanks win! FINAL: #Yankees 2, Braves 0. #StartSpreadingTheNews pic.twitter.com/TRy7XnOvnI
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 30, 2016
The New York Yankees defeated the Atlanta Braves afternoon as New York pitching did not allow a single run.
- New York Yankees: 2 (13-13)
- Atlanta Braves: 0 (6-19)
- Grapefruit League , FINAL, Box Score
- Champion Stadium, Kissimmee, FL
By Christian Kouroupakis
When the New York Yankees win, there’s a positive vibe across the Yankee universe. This time, however, fans are holding their breath.
The game was quiet and peaceful at first. Ivan Nova, who’s likely off to the bullpen after spring training comes to an end, pitched six shut-out innings of two hit ball while striking out two.
.@IvanNova47 is through 6 scoreless innings as the #Yankees and Braves head to the 7th with no score. #NYYSpring
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 30, 2016
He was relieved by left hander Andrew Miller, and that’s when things went berserk.
In the seventh inning, the first pitch that Miller threw was rocketed off the bat of Willians Astudillo. It deflected off his right wrist and caused him to exit the contest immediately. All fans can do is wait and pray his X-Rays show no structural damage.
Andrew Miller struck on the right wrist with a line drive. Walked off the mound and threw his hat to the ground.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 30, 2016
An inning after Miller left the ballgame, the Yankees took the lead in the eighth courtesy of a Billy Fleming triple to center. It scored Dustin Fowler to put the Bombers ahead 1-0.
Two batters later, back up catcher Austin Romine continued his solid spring with a bloop single that scored Fleming. That put the Yankees up 2-0.
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Thanks to Dellin Betances, Bryan Mitchell, and Kirby Yates combining for three innings of one hit ball, they were able to secure a 2-0 Yankee victory.
Yankee pitching, as a whole, allowed only four hits, struck out eight and only walked three batters. Offensively, the team got ten hits but weren’t able to cash those in for runs due to leaving eight runners on base. They were 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Mitchell, also left the ballgame. He limped off the field after his one inning of work, in what appears to be a sprained left toe, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Cashman says it's a sprained left big toe for Bryan Mitchell. He'll have an MRI tonight.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 30, 2016
Instead of celebrating a nice spring win, the Yankees will send Miller and Mitchell for X-Rays and pray they return negative.
Mitchell has a .057 ERA this spring and could be the man to replace Adam Warren, while Miller was going to fill the void at the closer spot while Aroldis Chapman serves his suspension.
Tomorrow, the Yankees have their last split squad day of the year as one half goes to Lakeland to face the Detroit Tigers, and the other half will play host to the St. Louis Cardinals.
First pitch for both games are at 1:05 and Chad Green will start against the Tigers while Michael Pineda will get the starting nod against the Cardinals.
