Joba steps up as Yanks fall down

The New York Yankees lost to the Philadelphia Phillies today by the score of 6-2. The big story of the day though was the way Joba Chamberlain pitched. He looked really good today and has now not eliminated himself from the 5th starters competition. I am going to recap the pitchers and then the hitters and then have some notes. Andy Pettitte made the start for the Yankees, it was his first start against live competition. He pitched 4 innings and gave up 2 runs on 5 hits with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. I would say it was a pretty good outing for being his first time out with real competition. He was throwing simulated games because of the rainouts. Damaso Marte pitched in relief of Andy and just had a terrible day. He didn't record an out and gave up 4 hits and 3 runs. He left the game after getting hit in the back by a Ryan Howard line drive. He should be ok but he is going to be sore for a while after that. Joba Chamberlain finished the game off with 3 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 run. He walked a batter and had 3 strikeouts. Francisco Cervelli who survived a scare after getting beaned in the head is tearing it up offensively. He had 3 hits today and is batting 582 in the spring. He has the second highest average on the team. Brett Gardner had 2 hits and Nick Johnson had a hit and rbi. Mark Teixeira, Marcus Thames and Randy Winn each had a hit.

• Andy Pettitte had this to say "I threw a lot of good stuff, a lot of good pitches. My location I thought was fairly good. The balls that they hit, were just balls that I just didn't quite finish on a couple of them."

• Damaso Marte said he is fine after getting hit by a line drive off of Ryan Howards bat. Joe Girardi asked him if he had Bud Seligs signature on his back and he said no just seams.

• Andy Pettitte threw 55 pitches, 36 of them were strikes and Joba threw 47 in the game and about another 15 in the bullpen afterwards.

• Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain are on the same schedule so Joe Girardi said that there is a good chance that Andy Pettitte will pitch in a minor league game in his next start so Joba can make another start

• Tomorrow night against the Rays none of the 5th starter candidates will pitch. Joe Girardi said we will see some of the relievers. Dave Robertson and Chan Ho Park are expected to pitch. Javier Vazquez will start the game.

The New York Yankees split the split squad games yesterday. They won the home game against the Baltimore Orioles by the score of 5-3 and lost the road game in Lakeland against the Detroit Tigers by the score of 6-2. Javier Vazquez started the home game and looked pretty good. He gave up a 2 run homerun but other then that was pretty sharp. He pitched 3 innings giving up 4 hits and 2 runs. He also had a walk and a couple of strikeouts. The hitting star of the game was Jorge Posada who had 3 hits and 2 rbi. Here is how the rest of the team did. Alfredo Aceves continued his strong pitching with 4 innings of work. He gave up 3 hits, the only run was a solo homerun. He didn't walk a batter and struck out one. I would say at this point he is in the lead for the 5th starters spot although I don't think he will get it. I think he will end up in the bullpen where he was last season. Royce Ring pitched a scorless inning giving up a hit and Dave Robertson struck out the side, giving up a hit in his one inning of work. The offense saw Nick Johnson continue his hot hitting by going 2-3 with a rbi. Brett Gardner who was leading off, had a hit and a walk. Robinson Cano had a couple of hits and a rbi, Curtis Granderson had a hit and Brandon Laird had a couple of hits. Jesus Montero is a hitting machine, he had a single in the 9th but it didn't count because it was just a extra half inning that didn't have to be played. They only played it to give the Orioles pitcher more work. In the road game Chad Gaudin got the start and wasn't very good, Sergio Mitre finally got hit around a little also. Gaudin pitched 3 innings giving up 5 hits and 3 runs with 1 walk and a strikeout. Mitre pitched 4 innings giving up 5 hits and 3 runs. He allowed a walk and 3 strikeouts. Boone Logan pitched another perfect inning. If the Yankees are thinking of carrying a second lefty he would have to be in the lead at this point. He has not given up a run all spring. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira each had a couple of hits but the best thing to see was Francisco Cervelli getting 2 hits in his return from a concussion. Nick Swisher had a hit and Alex Rodriguez had a hit and rbi. Austin Romine and Jaime Hoffman each had a hit. I know this is posting the day after but my cable and internet have been out since yesterday evening and I still don't have it back. I am borrowing a computer.

Grapefruit League Game 5-New York Yankees At Minnesota Twins

The New York Yankees are taking the long bus ride down to Fort Myers today to face the Twins. Sergio Mitre will get the start, Chad Gaudin will also pitch continuing the battle for the 5th starter spot. Here are some quick pregame notes as there wasn't much going on this morning and the Yankees lineup.

• Francisco Cervelli will be examined today by a team doctor at the minor league complex. The minor leaguers are taking their physicals today. He will see a neurologist tomorrow, the Yankees are being extra careful with him which is a good thing. If everything goes well he will hopefully be back by Tuesday or Wednesday.

• Tony Pena is not with the team today as he has the flu. He will see a doctor and I hope it isn't what Joba had and it will spread through the team.

• Joe Girardi wasn't too concerned with Andrew Brackman struggling with his command yesterday. He said "His mechanics are a lot cleaner then they were." Chan Ho Park will throw live BP tomorrow along with Mariano Rivera and Damaso Marte. Park could get into a game by next weekend if not sooner.

• The Yankees have a split squad tomorrow and Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Randy Winn are among the players heading to Bradenton to face the Pirates. Alfredo Aceves will get the start. Javier Vazquez will get the start at home against the Phillies.

Yankees Lineup:

Brett Gardner(CF)

Nick Swisher(DH)

Mark Teixeira(1B)

Robinson Cano(2B)

Marcus Thames(LF)

Jaime Hoffman(RF)

Mike Rivera(C)

Ramiro Pena(SS)

Brandon Laird(3B)

The game is not being televised at all today. You can follow along at http://yankees.lhblogs.com/ or at http://mlb.com/ The Lohud Blog does a good job with the updating of what is going on during the game. I will have the postgame recap, notes and comments as always so check back later on tonight.