This was Freddy Garcia's first scoreless outing since 2006. Although he struggled a bit early on, he settled down and retired 12 of his last 13 batters. Girardi pulled him after six scoreless frames and 84 pitches. He was reminiscent of Mike Mussina, circa 2008, mixing a mid-80s fastball with "slop" to keep hitters off-balance.
The scoring started via a Mark Teixeira two-run homer over the short-porch in the first inning.
Nick Swisher finally had good day at the plate (2-4, 2B), and made a great sliding, run-saving catch in the sixth.
Derek Jeter went 0-3 with a walk, and is still sitting on one XBH this season (less than any other regular).
Rafael Soriano, in the midst of an eighth-inning jam, induced a game-saving GIDP to end the threat. Considering how many Texas has received (seven through two games), it was only fitting.
Robinson Cano gave the Yanks breathing room with a two-run blast off the right-field foul pole in the eighth, increasing the lead to three runs. It was his first homer off a lefty this year. Mostly I was impressed with the long ball because he'd looked so bad in three previous at-bats against Derek Holland (a K and two weak groundouts).
A-Rod left in the seventh inning due to a stiff back and oblique. No tests are currently scheduled, so it must be minor. Update: He's day-to-day.
Play of the Game: Not a hit but a defensive play - with the Yanks up 3-2 in the eighth, Beltre grounded into an inning-ending double-play with two runners on (22%).
Comment of the Game: Jedi Master A-Rod, because Jeter doesn't read PA.
[Rant] Now, the eighth inning: Mo should have been brought in to face Michael Young. Girardi still hasn't learned! Let your best reliever pitch out of the game-on-the-line moment and worry about the ninth inning when you get there! It was the heart of the lineup due up: Young, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz. Beltre missed a three-run homer by mere feet down the rightfield line. Aren't you glad that he's signed for another 2.9 years at $12M AAV? [/Rant]