Curtis Granderson's first-inning triple was the Yankees' only solid hit of the day. (AP)
Lineup:
L - Brett Gardner (LF)
S - Nick Swisher (RF)
L - Curtis Granderson (CF)
S - Jorge Posada (C)
L - Eric Chavez (3B)
R - Jesus Montero (C)
R - Eduardo Nuñez (SS)
R - Brandon Laird (1B)
S - Ramiro Peña (2B)
Pitchers: Phil Hughes, David Robertson, Steve Garrison, Brian Anderson, Andy Sisco, Eric Wordekemper, Ryan Pope
Subs: Jorge Vazquez (1B), Kevin Russo (2B), Doug Bernier (SS), Bradley Suttle (3B), Kyle Higashioka (C), Jordan Parraz (RF), Justin Maxwell (CF), Austin Krum (LF), Gustavo Molina (DH)
Formidable Opponents: Not really. The Pirates started maybe three members of their projected Opening Day lineup, all of whom would be bench players on a better team, and the still unproven James McDonald.
Big Hits: With two outs in the first, Curtis Granderson (1-for-3) tripled to the warning track in center but was stranded when Jorge Posada ground out. That was the Yankees only extra-base hit. Eric Chavez (2-for-3) was the only Yankee to reach base twice, though Chad Jennings described both of his singles as bloops. Nick Swisher's infield single (1-for-3) was the only other Yankee hit. Jorge Vazquez made his first out of the spring, fouling out to first base.
Who Pitched Well: Phil Hughes walked the first batter he faced but faced the minimum six batters in his two innings thanks to a subsequent double play, though his final four outs were all fly balls and he didn't strike out a batter. Ryan Pope worked a perfect eighth striking out Gorkys Hernandez. David Robertson worked around a Chris Snyder single in a scoreless inning, striking out two, the latter starting a strike-em-out/throw-em-out double play that ended the inning. Steve Garrision faced the minimum over two innings despite giving up a pair of singles in the fourth thanks to a pair of baserunning blunders by the Pirates. He didn't strike anyone out, but of the six balls put in play, four were on the ground and the first single didn't leave the infield.
Who Didn't: Brian Anderson broke the scoreless tie by giving up a run across the first three batters he faced (Chris Snyder single, sac bunt, Pedro Ciriaco RBI double). He then hit the next man with his first pitch before retiring the next two to end the inning. Lefty Andy Sisco walked the only batter he faced, lefty Garrett Jones leading off the seventh. Eric Wordekemper then came in and allowed that runner to score on a Steve Pearce double and a Josh Fields sac fly, after which he struck out two even less distinguished hitters.
Rotation Battle: Another fairly uneventful day on this front as Steve Garrison was the only pitcher to see action who might qualify, but I don't think he's being seriously considered.
Oopsies: With the game still scoreless, Ramiro Peña reached on a fielding error with two outs in the fifth, turning the lineup over, but was thrown out stealing second on the 0-1 pitch to Brett Gardner to end the inning.
Other: Jesus Montero was credited with catching two runners attempting to steal second, but one might have been a busted hit-and-run (though Montero did get off a strong throw and beat the runner, Triple-A outfielder Alex Presley, by a fair distance), and the other was a pure baserunning error. Pirates catcher Chris Snider took off with one out and a full-count on Ciriaco, then slowed down before second base when Ciriaco appeared to check his swing on ball four. However, the pitch was called a strike, which left Snyder hung out to dry for Montero, who threw him out easily. Still, according to Jennings, the Yankees had Montero's "pop time" (from his catch to the catch at second base) on the busted hit-and-run at less than two-seconds, which what is expected of a major league catcher. At the plate, Montero ground out twice, once into a double play, the other time into an inning-ending fielder's choice, then flied out to center.
Next: Back in Tampa after three road games, the Yankees should play their full squad against the Astros while A.J. Burnett makes his first start of the spring. The game will be on the YES and MLB Networks, first pitch at 1:05 pm.