Freddy Garcia became the first to stumble in a bid for one of the two vacancies in the rotation, not lasting through three innings while conceding four runs on six hits, two walks and a hit batter. He had trouble hitting his spots and could not put hitters away when he had two strikes; that looks like it will be his biggest problem this year: not having a true out-pitch. Eric Wordekemper relieved Garcia, and would have escaped unscathed in the fourth inning, but Derek Jeter apparently lost a pop-up in the sun with two outs. The next batter hit a three-hun homer.
Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless fifth, and he was followed by Mariano Rivera, in his first appearance of the spring, who struck out the side. He threw a two-seam fastball on the inside corner to strike out Jason Kubel, a pitch he's been working on this spring. It's a great idea. Mo already throws a good two-seamer, but usually to jam RHB, so it should be very useful against LHB. (Think Greg Maddux, 20 second mark.)
The Yankee offense combined for six hits, including a home run by A-Rod and a double by Teixeira, but went 0-6 with RISP.
A night game tomorrow against the Red Sox will feature Sergio Mitre against an old pal.
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The first round of cuts were made today. 11 players were reassigned or cut. Noesi, Phelps, Warren, Anderson, Carlyle, Suttle, Brewer, Sisco and Krum were sent to minor league camp. Robert Fish was claimed off waivers by Kansas City and Daniel Turpen was returned to Boston (he was a Rule 5 pick).