The Sommer Frieze

I got to watch the Yanks beat the Orioles 5-3 in one spring training game since it was televised on My 9, NYC. Vazquez was ok, 2 runs, 4 hits, 1 walk, 2 Ks. 1 gopher ball, a 2-run HR.

Aceves was excellent again. The Yanks have to decide if he is more valuable at the #5 spot or in long relief. He gave up a run (windblown HR) in 4 innings. Jeter and Alex have raved about him. #5 or in the bullpen?

Ramiro Pena flashed some serious leather. Juan Miranda made an error and there was a mixup in the OF late.

David Robertson pitched a scoreless 9th. Other than giving up a bloop hit on the mixup, he K’d the side. Looked good. Royce Ring had a scoreless inning.

As for the bats, Brett Gardner had a hit and a walk, scored 2 runs. Nick Johnson had 2 hits, scored twice, double, SB. Jorge Posada had 3 hits, scored once and drove in two. Robbie Cano had two hits and an RBI. Brandon Laird had two hits.

In order to get more work in, the Yanks and Orioles played a “bottom of the 9th” that didn’t count. During this half-inning, Jesus Montero singled.

In the other split squad game, the Tigers beat the Yanks 6-2. The other candidates for the #5 slot, Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre, didn’t help themselves, especially when compared to Aceves. Gaudin went 3, gave up 3 R on 5 hits, 1 walk and 1 K. Mitre went 4, gave up 3 runs (including a HR to “remember me?” Johnny Damon) 5 hits, 1 walk and 3 K. Boone Logan pitched a scoreless inning.

In this game, Jeter (back from a bout of food poisoning) had two hits and scored a run. Teixeira went two for two, scored a run and had an RBI. Alex had a hit and an RBI. Francisco “the Great Gazoo” Cervelli had two hits in his return from last week’s beaning. Austin Romine got a single.

Girardi said #5 isn’t going to be all about stats. We’ll see. So far, Aceves is the one with the best showings so far.