Yankees 10, Tigers 3: Balanced Yankees Knock Off Tigers

A week after they opened with a win, the Yankees finally added a second after a good all-around performance against the Tigers.

Ivan Nova made his spring training debut and threw two scoreless innings allowing just one hit. After his struggles last season, Nova needs to have a solid showing this spring to lock down a starting spot, and he got off to a good start in that regard, today.

As far as the offense goes, Brett Gardner continues to rake (gardening puns!) this spring, going 2-3, stealing a base both times he got on. Robinson "Bob" Cano drove him in one of those times with a very Robinson "Bob" Cano-esque rocket up the middle. Cano went 1-3 on the day. Other definite starter Mark Teixeira went 1-3 as well. Ichiro Suzuki went 0-3 and Kevin Youkilis was 0-2, but reached once after an error by former Yankee Kevin Russo. Potential starting catcher Chris Stewart staked his claim for the job with a 2-run home run in the fourth inning. It is unclear at this time if pigs are flying, however.

In 'other people battling for a job' news Travis Hafner was 0-2, but drew a walk with the bases loaded to add a run in the third inning. Matt Diaz went 1-2 with a stolen base. Dan Johnson went 0-2.

Let's get to some of the Yankee pitching performances today. David Aardsma came in for Nova in the top of the third. The Aardvark allowed a leadoff double to Danny Worth, who scored on a sac fly by Omar Infante, after moving to third on a ground out. In Clay Rapada's inning of work he allowed one run on one hit, a triple to Don Kelly, who scored on a sac fly.

Prospect Mark Montgomery allowed the other Yankee run in the sixth inning. He walked Omar Infante, and then allowed a single to Torii Hunter. With runners on first and second, Andy Dirks singled to score Infante. Montgomery managed to get out of any further trouble, with some help from Chris Stewart who threw out Don Kelly to end the inning. Other Yankees to appear on the mound today were Shawn Kelly, Matt Daley, Francisco Rondon, and Jim Miller, who allowed no runs and just one hit between them.

Some Yankee prospects also got some time. Tyler Austin made the most notable impression, going 1-1 with a walk and two RBI. Austin's walk came with the bases loaded, in the sixth inning, and drove in his other run with a double in the eighth. Second baseman Corban Joseph also had a pretty decent day. Joseph went 1-2, driving in two runs. His ground out in his first at bat scored a run, and he singled to score Austin, and came around to score himself in the three run eighth inning. Adonis Garcia scored a run in that eighth inning as well, after drawing a walk.

The Yankees are back in action tomorrow, playing the Red Sox tomorrow at 1:35 eastern.

Boxscore.