:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/9814631/20130315_jla_sv7_024.0.jpg)
This was a mostly uneventful game. Good things happened, but they weren't overly exciting. Bad things happened, but they weren't as dramatic as first thought. The most important thing was that CC Sabathia proved to be healthy and effective on the mound.
CC started the game off with a shaky first inning; Juan Pierre and Donovan Solano singled and Kevin Kouzmanoff walked to load the bases. Austin Kearns grounded into a double play and Pierre scored. Rob Brantley plated another run off another single and by the end of the top half of the inning the Yankees were already down by two.
The Yankees scored some runs via the dinger. Francisco Cervelli hit one out to left field in the bottom of the 2nd and Travis Hafner hit a two-run home run to right in the 3rd inning to take a 3-2 lead.
Ronnier Mustelier had a tough 4th inning in the field when he ran full speed into the dugout railing and had to come out of the game. He was diagnosed with multiple contusions on his knees, but it could have been much worse.
It wasn't until the bottom of the 7th that the Marlins scored again. Joba Chamberlain walked the first batter and was replaced by David Robertson, who gave up two hits to score his inherited runner and tie the game.
The Yankees got the bases loaded in the 8th when Jose Pirela, in for Mustelier, hit a lead off triple, Thomas Neal was hit by a pitch, and Hafner walked. Pirela was able to score on a passed ball and the pinch running Gil Velazquez stole home after the catcher's failed attempt to pick off Addison Maruszak at first base to make it 5-3 Yanks. They scored again in the 8th inning when Francisco Arcia walked and Pirela hit another triple to left centerfield. Neal then hit a double down the left field line and Pirela hit another triple to bring in the final run to make it a 7-3 game.
Sabathia pitched five innings, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out two. The final line isn't that incredible, but for his first start of the spring it's good to see that he's healthy and can still show shades of CC. He needs to be strong for this season and this is how he gets back to being that player.
The relievers came in and Joba struck a batter out and gave up a hit. D-Rob collected a strikeout and gave up two hits. Mark Montgomery and Vidal Nuno gave up a hit each, while Nuno also struck out a batter to finish the game.
Jeter got his second hit of the spring after returning to the lineup, Ichiro Suzuki had two walks and Corban Joseph had one. Mustelier stole a base and looked to be having a good game before he had to leave.
Before today's home run, Travis Hafner only had three hits in 20 at bats with four walks. Dan Johnson has only one hit in 21 at bats, but has managed five walks. Juan Rivera has 12 hits in 32 at bats with a walk. I know who's making this team.