Russell Martin scored two of the Yankees' four runs on Wednesday. (AP)
A pair of solo homers were the difference as the Yankees edged the Pirates at home, 4-2.
Lineup:
R - Derek Jeter (SS)
R - Russell Martin (C)
S - Mark Teixeira (1B)
R - Alex Rodriguez (DH)
L - Robinson Cano (2B)
R - Andruw Jones (LF)
L - Eric Chavez (3B)
R - Justin Maxwell (RF)
R - Melky Mesa (CF)
Pitchers (IP): Bartolo Colon (4), Rafael Soriano (1), Pedro Feliciano (1), Manny Banuelos (2), Luis Ayala (1)
Subs: Jose Gil (1B), Kevin Russo (2B), Doug Bernier (SS), Jorge Vazquez (3B), Kyle Higashioka (C), Daniel Brewer (RF), Austin Krum (CF), Eduardo Nuñez (LF), Jesus Montero (DH)
Formidable Opponents: Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez, and, well, it's the Pirates.
Big Hits: Russell Martin hit a solo home run off Kevin Correia in the first. He also singled and walked in four trips. Andruw Jones (1-for-3) hit a solo homer off Charlie Morton in the fifth. Mark Teixeira (1-for-4) followed Martin's homer with a double but was stranded. Derek Jeter (1-for-4) led off the third with what was ruled a triple but should only have been a single. Right Fielder Garrett Jones tried to make a diving catch on the ball and it scooted past him. Eric Chavez singled and walked in three trips.
Who Pitched Well: Rafael Soriano, in his first game appearance this spring, Pedro Feliciano, Manny Banuelos, and Luis Ayala combined to strike out nine against just five hits and no walks in five innings. The only extra-base hit was an Andy Marte double off Ayala and no two of the hits came in a single inning, though Banuelos did also hit a batter. Feliciano struck out the side around a single in the sixth. Banuelos struck out three in his two innings. Ayala struck out two.
Rotation Battle: Bartolo Colon struck out seven in his four frames, starting with all three batters in the top of the first, but did allow a pair of runs in the second on a single by Matt Diaz, a double by Garrett Jones, a sac fly, and a single by Chris Snyder. In the third, he allowed a single to McCutchen, who was thrown out trying to steal second by Martin, and hit Diaz leading off the fourth, but stranded him at first base. One scenario being kicked around of late (though remember that it's still early) has the Yankees taking Freddy Garcia and Colon and making use of Ivan Nova's remaining options to send him back to Triple-A for depth when someone inevitably gets hurt or goes bust. Colon's somewhat mixed results in this game didn't make that any less likely.
Ouchies: Gustavo Molina had a root canal. Ronnie Belliard (calf) is making the trip to Clearwater on Thursday and could see his first game action of the spring.
Other: Bernie Williams threw out the first pitch.
Next: CC Sabathia vs. Roy Halladay in Clearwater, but not on TV.