MLB Spring Training 2012: A-Rod Homers as Yankees Beat Phillies 7-4
March 4, 2012 · Ken DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
It’s often difficult to make a Spring Training game exciting, but Alex Rodriguez tried his best to do so today against Roy Halladay and the Phillies.
In his first live at-bat in Spring Training, Rodriguez sent the first pitch he saw into the seats for a home run.
He hit a double off of Joel Pineiro later on in the contest, and finished the game 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. He was a triple shy of a cycle.
Robinson Cano singled and scored a run in his first action of the spring. He had been recuperating from the loss of his great-grandmother.
The newly signed Jayson Nix singled in a run in his lone at-bat, and Andruw Jones recorded a single of his own.
Prospect Zoilo Almonte singled in his only at-bat. When you add that to his 3-for-3 game against South Florida and his 1-for-1 game against Philadelphia on Saturday, Almonte is 5-for-5 this spring.
Almonte made it as high as AA Trenton last season, but if he continues with his torrid spring, he could be starting the year at AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Freddy Garcia got the start for the Yankees and struggled in his two innings of work.
He allowed four hits and two runs while striking out two. Hunter Pence touched him up for a first-inning home run.
Even though it was his first action of the spring, Garcia may have already put himself at a disadvantage in the battle for the fifth starter’s job. His every pitch will be chronicled closely, as will those of his competitor, Phil Hughes.
D.J. Mitchell—who pitched two innings to get the win—and Boone Logan both provided the Yankees with scoreless outings before giving way to Cory Wade, who allowed one run on two hits.
Left-hander Clay Rapada impressed in his lone inning of work. In the scoreless frame, he allowed no baserunners and struck out two. He’ll likely be one of the first relievers called up during the regular season if the bullpen sustains an injury.
The Yankees look solid in two spring games so far, with production coming from all members of the lineup.
The Yankees’ next game will be against the Phillies on Monday at Bright House Field.
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