The New York Yankees took it on the chin today losing to the Toronto Blue Jays by the score of 9-1. The story of the game though wasn't the final outcome it was Francisco Cervelli getting beaned in the head and leaving the game. He did seem ok on the field and was helped off of it but did get up under his own power. He was taken to a local hospital for precautionary testing which included a CT scan. The tests were negative and he said he was feeling a little dizzy and had a headache but he should be back in a couple of days. The story of the game on the field would be A.J. Burnett making his first start.
He wasn't great but he was happy that he got his work in and did what he wanted to do. He was throwing only a fastball and changeup and as Joe Girardi said, his out pitch is the curveball and if you take that away, it is a different pitcher. He wasn't concerned with the results, just that he got his work in and starts to feel good about his changeup. His line on the day was 1 2/3 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs and 1 walk. He guessed that he threw 10 changeups on the day. Here is what Jorge Posada said about his outing "He's starting it down, that's the big thing. He's finishing it well. There was one of them that was up, hit off the end of the bat, but I thought he did a great job."
Boone Logan was very impressive again, in his debut he retired all 4 batters he faced and 3 were lefties. Today he pitched 2 perfect innings with 2 strikeouts. I know it is early but he is really making a case to be the second lefty if the yankees carry one. Jonathan Albaladejo on the flip side was just awful, it was actually painful to watch. He got torched for 7 hits and 5 runs in 1/3 of an inning. He also walked a batter. That is his second bad outing, I don't think he will be making the team out of spring training this year. Mark Melancon continues to impress, the Yankees still have high hopes for him. He pitched 1 2/3 innings giving up 0 runs on 1 hit and had a strikeout. Andrew Brackman who really struggled last year after coming back from Tommy John surgery but has looked better in bullpens was bad today also. He pitched 1 inning giving up 3 hits and 2 runs. The other guys who pitched were Romulo Sanchez who pitched an inning giving up a hit and walk but 0 runs and Jason Hirsch who pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout.
The offense didn't do much at all. Reegie Corona, Brandon Laird, Colin Curtis,Austin Romine, Juan Miranda and Kevin Russo all had a hit. If you notice these are all minor league guys. Colin Curtis has been impressive so far this spring and Reegie Corona is a guy they like, he has been known for his defense. Austin Romine is right behind Jesus Montero as top catching prospect and Juan Miranda has had big numbers in AAA and Kevin Russo is a super utility type guy who has a outside chance of making the team. The lone RBI was a groundout off the bat of Ramiro Pena who is the frontrunner to be the utility guy again this year.
Francisco Cervelli obviously will not make the trip tomorrow, Mike Rivera will take his place. Amaury Sanit will also not make the trip after appearing in todays game. Dave Eiland confirmed today that Mariano Rivera, Damaso Marte and Chan Ho Park will all throw a batting practice session on Monday. They are the only pitchers who have yet to face live batters.
Andy Pettitte is pitching a 2 inning simulated game tomorrow and will move forward as if it was a real game. This will count as his first outing Dave Eiland said.
Nick Johnson took batting practice today and felt good afterward. He said "I took a few swings in the cage, felt loose."
Kei Igawa pitched well yesterday and Joe Girardi didn't rule out the idea of him creating a place for himself as a lefty reliever. I would bet against him ever pitching for the Yankees again though but you never know.
The Yankees will play the Twins tomorrow afternoon in Fort Myers.
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