New York Yankees pick up first win of the spring

The New York Yankees defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon.  It was the Yankees first victory of the spring and the game took place in Bradenton, Florida.  Esmil Rogers started for the Yankees and Chase Whitley followed him in relief.  Tyler Austin was the star of the game. 

Rogers pitched two scoreless innings giving up a hit and he struck out one, Whitley pitched two scoreless giving up two hits and striking out one and Cesar Vargas pitched two innings giving up four hits and a run with a strikeout.  Fred Lewis pitched an inning giving up a hit and striking out two, Nick Rumbelow pitched an inning giving up a hit and striking out the side and Garrison pitched a perfect inning. 

Brett Gardner drew two walks, Ramon Flores had a hit and Chris Young had a hit.  Austin had a hit and an RBI, Garrett Jones had two hits, an RBI and drew a walk and Jose Pirela had a hit.  Rob Refsnyder had two hits and Tyler Wade had a hit.  Refsnyder, Young and Jones each hit a double and Austin hit a homerun.  The Yankees were 2-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.  Flores was picked off and Gardner and Austin each had an outfield assist. 

In the top of the fifth Jones hit an RBI double to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. The Pirates tied the score in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single from Jaff Decker.  In the top of the eighth Austin hit a solo homerun to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead and that was the final score.  The Yankees will play a split squad day/night game on Friday.  They play a day game against the Phillies in Clearwater and a night game in Tampa against the Pirates.