The New York Yankees lose in Grapefruit league opener

The New York Yankees were defeated by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon.  The

game was played at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida.  The final score was 6-5 as the Pirates

rallied late to get the victory.  Ivan Nova started for the Yankees and Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann

and Carlos Beltran saw their first action as Yankees. 

Nova pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up two hits and two runs with two walks and a strikeout.  He threw 37 total pitches.  It was an ok outing, his control wasn't great especially early and he threw too many pitches.  His stuff wasn't too bad though for the first time out.  Bruce Billings pitched 1 2/3 innings giving up two hits, a walk and a strikeout, Dellin Betances pitched two innings giving up a hit and had two strikeouts and Chase Whitley pitched an inning giving up three hits and four runs with a walk.  Whitley took the loss.  Preston Claiborne pitched an inning giving up two hits and had two strikeouts and Cesar Cabral pitched an inning giving up a hit with a strikeout. 

Jacoby Ellsbury had a hit and drew two walks, Mason Williams had a hit and an RBI and Yangervis

Solarte had two hits and two RBI.  Solarte is a guy to keep an eye on as he may be able to help at

third base for the Yankees this year.  Brian McCann had a hit and an RBI, Ramon Flores is another

interesting prospect who had a hit and an RBI and Dean Anna had a hit. 

Williams hit a double and Solarte hit a homerun.  The Yankees were 2-6 with runners in scoring position and left three men on base.  Solarte and Maruszak each committed an error.  The Yankees will play Pittsburgh at home in Tampa on Thursday afternoon.  Derek Jeter will make his spring debut and David Phelps will make his first start of the spring.  Phelps is in the fifth starter derby, if he doesn't win the job I am sure he will be in the bullpen though in some capacity.