As good as he’s been this preseason, AJ Burnett finally gave us a look at his ugly side today. Facing what should pretty much be the Pirates’ Opening Day lineup, Burnett allowed seven runs (six earned) on ten hits and three walks in just four and a third innings. He allowed three homers (to Eric Hinske, Ryan Doumit and Adam LaRoche) and struck out just one batter. Scheduled to throw 90 pitches, Burnett left after throwing just 83, 53 for strikes. He said his mechanics were “out of whack all day,” but the good news is that his arm feels fine. Eh, it happens, no matter what time of year. Burnett’s next start will be Saturday, the second exhibition game against the Cubs in the New Stadium. Ben and I will be there.
Damaso Marte relieved Burnett, allowing two of the three baserunners he inherited to score on a pair of hits before closing out the fifth inning. Mariano Rivera actually allowed a hit in the sixth inning, only the second baserunner he’s allowed this preseason. He struck out the side and threw 10 of his 16 pitches for strikes, pushing his Spring Training pitching line to 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K. Phil Coke was dominant in two innings of work, striking out four and inducing a pair of groundball outs against just one hit. He’s a lock for the big league bullpen at this point. Jose Veras allowed two hits in a scoreless ninth.
As bad as Burnett was, Bucs’ starter Zach Duke was even worse. The Yanks hung a seven spot off Duke (3.1 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 1 K) in the fourth thanks to a pair of bunt singles by Ramiro Pena and starting centerfielder Brett Gardner. Robbie Cano sent a ball into the people as did Nick Swisher, although Swish’s hit the field of play first. Swish is now hitting .262-.463-.405 with a 7-12 K/BB ratio (54 PA) this spring while Nady’s put up .304-.323-.500 line with a 12-2 K/BB ratio (58 PA). Johnny Damon went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI out of the two-hole, while Cap’n Jetes went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while leading off. Jorge Posada drew a walk and went hitless in two at-bats, also committing a throwing error. I have no idea the nature of the error, so don’t ask. Yankee baserunners reached base twenty times against Pirate pitching today, walking away with a 9-8 win thanks to a Carmen Angelini run scoring bloop single in the eighth.
The Yanks will be at Dunedin to take on the Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon, and I’m presuming Andy Pettitte will make the start (rather than throw in a minor league game) since the long reliever trio pitched yesterday. The Yankees only have three more games to play down in Florida, and will be back home for the two-game series with the Cubbies at the end of the week. They open the season in Baltimore a week from tomorrow.
Also, just following up on yesterday’s post – the Yanks officially took Rule 5 Draftee Ivan Nova back from the Padres today and assigned him to Double-A Trenton. Nove only worked one inning stints with the Pads, so he might not step directly into the Thunder rotation to start the year.
Just 5 days 'til pitchers and catchers report.
So what you’re telling me is Angelini is already clutch in his young career
and gritty!
Gardy is both too, and he did it at the Major League level. (remember the 2 GW hits last year, one against them Sox)
Maybe he can pinch hit for Arod this October.
I have to say, that’s a pretty awesome way to describe a dinger.
I agree. Nice turn of phrase, Mike. This one will get repeated.
I agree. Nice turn of phrase, Mike. This one will get repeated.
Carmen Angelini is the next Honus Wagner.
Agreed. Lets package him with Melky and get Braun.
Nah, Pujols
Nah, Hanley.
Im surprised Hinske didn’t hit another homerun…he’s just oozing grit after playing for the Sox AND Rays.
you can’t get any scraptastically gritty with that kind of tutelage
**any more
Just to show the importance the Yankees have nationwide. Since the announcement of the CF job Gardener has already landed his own cosmetics deal!
http://tinyurl.com/cegl4r
They should spell Gardener like Gardner in honor of the Yankees CFer.
http://i44.tinypic.com/24xgyfd.png
+1
Do they sell this at La Costco Nostra?
This doesn’t need to be said but I’m going to anyway.
I REALLY
This doesn’t really need to be said but I’m gonna.
I REALLY hope Mo is gonna pitch this way all year.
yankees will win number 27 this year
None of you better ever sAy anything bad about Burnett, you big meanies.
man crush alert haha
Urge to kill… rising…
Robbie Cano sent a ball into the people as did Nick Swisher, although Swish’s hit the field of play first.
what does this mean?
Cano homered, Swish hit a ground rule double.
oh, duh. i thought you were saying he hit some sort of controversial HR or something.
my first thought was some type of Canseco off the head HR…but they figured a ground rule double was both more likely and also fit the description
Is there a chance Mo could somehow be better this year? Obviously this is just ST, but after the surgery potentially throwing freer and easier than last year.
hard to be better than last year…i’ll settle for any typical Mariano season…
He should be better, as long as MLB doesn’t catch him using steroids, which CLEARLY he must be doing.
any news on Reegie Corona?
No, but Generalissimo Fransisco Franco is still dead.
Very old school SNL.
Nice.