Phil Hughes had a solid outing against the Rays' starters Thursday night. (AP)
Phil Hughes had a solid outing against the Rays' starters and Nick Swisher's seventh-inning homer, on a 3-0 swing, cashed it in for a 3-2 win.
Lineup:
L - Brett Gardner (LF)
R - Derek Jeter (SS)
S - Mark Teixeira (1B)
R - Alex Rodriguez (3B)
L - Robinson Cano (2B)
S - Nick Swisher (RF)
S - Jorge Posada (DH)
L - Curtis Granderson (CF)
R - Jesus Montero (C)
Pitchers (IP): Phil Hughes (6), Boone Logan (1), Romulo Sanchez (2/3), Steve Garrison (1/3), Luis Ayala (1)
Subs: Jorge Vazquez (1B), Ramiro Peña (2B), Doug Bernier (SS)Nuñez, Eduardo Nuñez (3B), Kevin Russo (RF), Melky Mesa (CF), Brandon Laird (LF)
Formidable Opponents: The Rays likely starting lineup.
Big Hits: The Yankees had just three hits in this game, and all three went for extra bases. Alex Rodriguez (1-for-3) hit a solo homer off Chris Bootcheck in the second, Rodriguez's fourth spring homer, second in as many days, and third in as many games. Curtis Granderson (1-for-2) led off the sixth with a triple off Cesar Ramos, but was stranded. Granderson now has three triples this spring. Nick Swisher (1-for-3) hit a two-out, two-run bomb off Mike Ekstrom in the seventh to turn a 2-1 deficit into an eventual 3-2 win. Robinson Cano walked twice in three trips, the only Yankee walks of the game, and scored on Swisher's homer.
Who Pitched Well: Phil Hughes limited the Rays' starters to two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings. Only one of the hits went for extra bases, that being a solo home run by John Jaso in the third on an 0-2 cutter that didn't cut. The other Tampa Bay run scored on singles by Johnny Damon and Evan Longoria and a sac fly by Manny Ramirez in the first. Hughes retired ten of the last 11 men he faced, the only exception to that run being a leadoff walk to Dan Johnson in the fifth. Luis Ayala pitched a perfect ninth, striking out Ray Olmedo. Steve Garrsion struck out the only man he faced, former Mets and Red Sox first baseman Chris Carter, stranding three inherited runners. Boone Logan gave up a ground-rule double to B.J. Upton, but the other hit he allowed was an infield single, he struck out two lefties (Matt Joyce and Jaso) in a scoreless inning, and he had his velocity back up near his customary 93 miles per hour.
Who Didn't: Romulo Sanchez didn't allow a hit, but walked the bases loaded before he could complete his one inning of work and was hooked in favor of Garrison.
Ouchies: Joba Chamberlain (oblique) played long toss and threw on flat ground Thursday morning and will throw a bullpen session this weekend. Sergio Mitre (oblique) is scheduled to pitch in Friday's game.
Other: Joe Torre visited Boss Field for the first time since he was managing the Yankees, doing so in his new capacity as Major League Baseball's Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations. He will attend Old Timers' Day in the Bronx this year.
Next: The Yankees travel to Duneden to face the Blue Jays. A.J. Burnett will make the start.