The Sommer Frieze

The Yanks put pressure on Brett Myers of Houston in the first inning of today’s spring training game, but Myers escaped. Gardner had a leadoff single, but was picked off first by Astros’ catcher Humberto Quintero. Myers then walked Nick Johnson and Mark Teixeira, but A-Rod hit into a 6-4-3 DP.

Good point by Chad Jennings at LoHud: It was Gardner’s third bunt hit of the spring.

A big start for Aceves today, who has been fabulous this spring. Some may think that he has no chance of getting the #5 spot, thinking that he will be relegated to spot starter/long relief again. I’m not so sure. It does appear that Mitre and Park are set for long men (Gaudin being on the block as far as I’m concerned) with Robertson and Marte setting up Mo. There are many within the Yankees’ front office who think the Yankees would be stronger with Joba and Hughes BOTH in the bullpen setting up Mo. What a pen that could be.

But for Joba and Hughes both to go to the bullpen, Aceves must continue to do what Mitre did last night…to impress.

An impressive 1st for Ace, a 1-2-3 with a K. Jeter and A-Rod have remarked at how much they like playing being Aceves.

Cano leads off the 2nd with a HR.  Aceves has a 1-2-3 second.

I give credit where credit is due. This is a great, GREAT line by Jennings:

How often do you see a guy triple to left? Gardner just did it, right down the line in the third inning.

Now that’s fast.

After a walk to Johnson (of course), and another to Teixeira to load the bases, A-Rod doubles in two.

Aceves gave up a hit in the 3rd, but got a DP. He’s faced the minimum through 3.

Ramiro Pena and Mike Rivera get back-to-back doubles off of Brett Myers in the 4th. 4-0 Yankees.

Aceves has trouble in the 4th, giving up a pair of runs on a HBP, SB, a double and a single. 4-2.

The Yanks get a single by Teix and a double by Alex in the 5th, but their respective PRs are left stranded. Meanwhile, I don’t know about Marcus Thames. Granted that Girardi will be looking at more than stats, but Thames is at .107 now for the spring.

Aceves comes apart in the 5th. His final line is 4 1/3 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 1 walk and 2Ks. His first three innings were superb, don’t know what happened in the 4th and 5th. Melancon came in, couldn’t hold the fort. 6-4 Astros after five.

2/3 of an inning for Melancon, 1 run. A scoreless 6th for Boone Logan. Question regarding Aceves, and it pertains to long man vs. starter. Does he get through a lineup only once, or more than once?

A scoreless 7th for Moseley. Eduardo Nunez gets an RBI in the 8th. 6-5 Astros.

Moseley for the 8th, but he gives two runs right back.

Colin Curtis gets a SF in the 9th, but the Yanks lose 8-6.