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I think it's fairly safe to say that the result of this game does not particularly matter much. Yes, it's one last tune-up for the Yankees before they start playing regular season baseball. But it was against a NCAA team (and one that most likely won't be going to Omaha for the College World Series). Really, it was a chance for the team to go to West Point and spend a day at the United States Military Academy. It was a chance to have a bit of fun playing baseball and meet and hang out with the Cadets. All game long, there were Yankee players and coaches spending an inning or two in the Army dugout. Joba Chamberlain spent some time sitting out in the stands with the cadets. Stuff like that was mainly what this game was for.
Now that I said that the result doesn't mean much, let's talk about the result. The Yankees beat the Army Black Knights on Saturday by a score of 10-5.
Most of the Yankee runs came in the second inning. Kevin Youkilis led off the top of the second by being hit by a pitch by Army's Andrew Flaherty. Brennan Boesch was up next and homered to center field to make it 2-0 Yankees. Vernon Wells blooped a single in to left field, and went to third on a single by Lyle Overbay. More singles by Francisco Cervelli, Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano each scored runs, and after the inning was over, it was 5-0 Yankees.
In the bottom of the third inning, Boone Logan gave back a few of those runs. Army's Andrew Johnson singled off Logan to start the inning. He came around to score after singles by Justin Reece and Jon Crucitti. Daniel Cortes grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Reece. Logan then hit Alex Jensen with a pitch, and gave up another single to Patrick Mescher, which scored another run. After a stolen base and another hit batsman, Logan was pulled in favor of Shawn Kelley. Kelley got a pop fly, which scored a run, and a ground out to end the inning, but the score was now only 5-4, Yankees.
The Yankees added five more runs later in the game (in the sixth, eighth and ninth innings), and allowed one more in the eighth inning, but came out with the 10-5 win.
Vidal Nuno started for the Yankees and looked good in his two innings, allowing just one hit. Boone Logan really struggled his 0.1 of an inning. Cody Eppley pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Adam Warren allowed one hit and a walk in his inning. Jim Miller struck out two in his. Branden Pinder went 1.1 innings. Juan Cedeno allowed the second two Army runs on two hits, in the eighth inning. Preston Claiborne finished the game, allowing one hit, but ended the game by inducing a double play.
Hitters
Brett Gardner: 1-3, Ichiro Suzuki: 0-3,1 RBI, Vernon Wells: 2-2, Kevin Youkilis: 1-1, Lyle Overbay: 1-2. Robinson Cano: 1-3, Francisco Cervelli: 1-1, 1 walk. Melky Mesa: 1-3 with the hit being a solo home run in the ninth inning. Jayson Nix: 1-2 with a walk. Ben Francisco: 1-3, Brennan Boesch 1-3, 2 RBI on second inning HR. Chris Stewart: 0-1, Thomas Neal: 1-3, and Zoilo Almonte was 1-2 with an RBI.
For Army, they play a double header against rival Navy tomorrow. Best of luck to them.
But for the Yankees, that is the end of spring training. Friends, we just two days away from regular season baseball. Ahhhh!