I don’t know if the Yanks’ prospects have the “yips”, are trying too hard or what, but their defense must improve.
Earlier this week, five errors and two wild pitches in a game. Today, four errors (one by Youkilis) let in six unearned runs as the Yanks lost to the Phils 10-5.
The Yanks spring record fell to 1-7.
Granted it’s not Cano, Jeter or Teix out there, and these players were mostly at High A or AA last year, but you still have to play crisp baseball.
With the homers and runs scored expected to be lower this year, defense and pitching will be at a premium. A greater emphasis will need to be placed on this. You won’t get away with four and five error games.
Hiroki Kuroda started and went 1 2/3, giving up 4 runs, 1 earned. David Robertson struck out the only batter he faced.
Joba gave up two runs in one inning. Then came the Yanks best pitching performance of the day, from Vidal Nuno. Nuno, who came out of nowhere to have a good year last year, tossed 3 scoreless innings and struck out four. In five innings so far, Nuno has given up just one run and struck out nine.
Cody Eppley had another rough outing, lasting just 2/3 of an inning and giving up four runs, only one of which was earned.
Preston Claiborne (1 1/3) and Tom Kahnle (1) finished up, neither giving up a run.
Youkilis made one error, Kyle Roller one, and Addison Maruszak two. It’s too bad for Maruszak, who did go 2 for 3 with 2 RBI.
The men competing for the righty-hitting OF job once again did pretty well. Melky Mesa had a solo HR, and so did Ronnier Mustelier. Juan Rivera was 2 for 3 as the DH.
Robbie Cano was 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Francisco Cervelli was 2 for 2.
Ivan Nova will make his spring debut tomorrow.
I see in the NCAA, there is talk of something being done (ACC) about that storming the court you are seeing all too often. Good. I’m worried that someone could get seriously injured by this stupid fad. Applaud, cheer, but stay in the stands and OFF the court.
1-7. EGAD!!
It’s good that these games don’t count. But then, the 1961 Yankees were 9-20 in spring training.