Spring Training Game 5: Yankees at Twins
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Mar 07, 2010 
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YANKEES
Gardner CF
Swisher DH
Teixeira 1B
Cano 2B
Thames LF
Hoffmann RF
Rivera C
Pena SS
Laird 3B
Pitching: RHP Sergio Mitre (3-3, 6.79 ERA in 2009)
TWINS
Revere CF
Punto 3B
Mauer C
Cuddyer RF
Kubel DH
Peterson 1B
Jones LF
Tolbert SS
Casilla 2B
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36 ERA in 2009)
TIME/TV: 1:05 p.m., No TV
WEATHER: Lovely. Clear skies, Not much wind. Right now, the flags are hanging limp.
UMPIRES: HP Tim Tschida, 1B Brian O’Nora, 2B Fieldin Culbreth, 3B Marvin Hudson
ON THE LINE: It’s still early but two of the five fifth starter candidates – the “20 percenters,” as Joe Girardi called them – are taking the mound. Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin will try to put themselves into the mix for the last spot in the rotation.
SPLIT DECISION: This actually a split-squad affair for the Twins though, as you can see from the lineup, most of the regulars opted to stay home. The rest of the Twins (including Orlando Hudson and Justin Morneau) are in Bradenton to face the Pirates.
ALSO ON THE MOUND: After Mitre and Gaudin, Wilkins Aria, Kei Igawa, D.J. Mitchell, Ryan Pope and Kevin Whelan are slated to work today.
UPDATE, 12:23 p.m.: Good buddy Mark Feinsand and I managed to navigate the (seemingly) 8,000 miles from Tampa to Fort Myers safely, and Hammond Stadium is starting to fill up. As expected, Andy Pettitte survived his simulated game in Tampa and feels good. He faced Randy Winn and Colin Curtis, who crushed one pitch that one-hopped off the wall but was called an out by Dave Eiland. Either way, Pettitte threw 36 pitches on a back field in his first “game” since Game 6 of the World Series.
“I told them, ‘I can’t even get the big-league field? What’s going on here?” Pettitte said. “I got a backstop over there, I got a lawnmower over here, but what’s amazing is I seriously feel like I can put myself in a game, whether it’s against these guys or not, so I guess that’s good. Mentally, I feel like I’m seeing my pitches. Especially, at my age, I’m happy at 9 o’clock in the morning to be able to get it going, I was up at 5:30 trying to get ready for this.”
UPDATE, 1:08 p.m.: And we’re off at picturesque Hammond Stadium. There is still a long line of cars trying to get into the parking lot and I saw a guy walking along the edge of the road leading into the stadium with a sign saying “I need tickets.” Not all that unusual, except for the fact that it was professionally printed and laminated, as opposed to scrawled on a piece of paper. Nice to see the professional scalping business embracing technology.
UPDATE, 1:14 p.m.: Couple of sharp singles for Tex and Cano put two on with two outs but Marcus Thames whiffs to end the inning. Mitre to the mound now.
UPDATE, 1:20 p.m.: Just doing reading and came across a “30-seconds with Goose Gossage” piece in the Times. The Goose pulls no punches and has some harsh comments on (among others) Mark McGwire and Francisco Rodriguez. “K-Rod is a clown,” he said. Well, OK. Read the whole thing here.
UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.: You want more bunts from Brett Gardner? You got it. Gardner just dragged a nice bunt down the first base line and beat the flip to the bag by half a step. It’s 0-0 in the third.
UPDATE, 1:48 p.m.: Apparently Gardner’s legs can be used for evil, as well as good. He was just picked off first by Baker when he left too early, but got bailed out when shortstop Matt Tolbert dropped the ball while lunging to tag him in the rundown.
UPDATE, 1:52 p.m.: And the Yanks can’t take advantage of the break – Teixeira hit into a double play and Cano grounded out to end the inning.
UPDATE, 2:09 p.m.: Who would win in a race between Jose Molina and Mike Rivera? Call it a pick ‘em. Rivera was just thrown out on a grounder to third in which Nick Punto looked to about three different bases (and double-clutched twice) before throwing him out by a couple steps at first.
UPDATE, 2:12 p.m.: Nice job by Mitre, who allowed two hits in three scoreless innings. Gaudin is on now.
UPDATE, 2:20 p.m.: Brock Peterson – who sounds like a football player – just took Gaudin over the left-field fence. 1-0 Twins.
UPDATE, 2:21 p.m.: Not a great sequence for Gaudin. First he gets taken out by a guy who should be playing linebacker then he drops a throw from Teixeira and is charged with an error.
UPDATE, 2:46 p.m.: Single for Cano and he’s replaced by pinch-runner Kevin Russo. Clubhouse should be opening shortly so I’m heading down. Back with more later.
UPDATE, 3:48 p.m.: So it seems this one got a little out of hand. We got back upstairs just in time to see someone named Juan Portes crush a home run off D.J. Mitchell that made it 11-0. In the old days, George Steinbrenner would be demanding the Yankees run wind-sprints on the bus ride back to Tampa.
What if they threw a blog and nobody came?
…or an Oscars for that matter
Wonder if they will score any runs today. Even though it is ST the offense has been offensive. This is against pitching that is rusty… or is that just the Yankee pitchers that are looking a bit anemic?
I know I’m not supposed to worry about early ST games, but I’d sure like to see the team on the field start playing well. One of my worries is that Granderson’s change in batting approach might make him worse instead of better. I’ll be happy to see him get a few hits and prove me wrong.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
“trisha,
This is especially for you. Cervelli’s eyes are helpless against Jose’s smile.
“Teacher & pupil – Francisco Cervelli & Jose Molina””
Oh mel, that actually brought tears to my eyes. When I love, I love deeply…
Let me help at least one person out here and save him the need to follow up on what I just said. I don’t hate easily, and even when my emotions get the best of me it is pretty easy to reel me back in. Someone REALLY has to play the role of flaming you-know-what for me to write them off completely.
That said, I am not at all adverse to doing it.
And the Twinkies broadcast to boot!
Here to listen to Mitre and Gaudin and then off to the movies.
To worry about the results of any ST games, especially the early ones, is just dumb.
It’s amazing how people fall into that trap every year.
SJ, wish I could be watching this. SO FAR
Mitre is really dealing!
Since Gaudin and Mitre are my ST project, I am of course interested in following their progress.
SJ I am guessing those who fall into the trap are the same ones who go ballistic during regular season games when the Yankees have the audacity to earn less than gold medals at each AB or on the mound.
Hi Trisha,
Where are you getting the game from?
“To worry about the results of any ST games, especially the early ones, is just dumb.”
sj-
are you crazy ?
lackey dominated in his first start with the red sox.
the yankees are in big trouble.
the red sox staff is now the best in baseball
Fran, I have the Minny broadcast. I think I will just head out and listen to the archived broadcast tonight. I will email you my account info right now and you can listen if you want!
Trisha,
Got it.
Thanks
Fran, please take a listen to how my boys do!
Hoffman reached on error, Mike Rivera DP, Baby Jeter singled.
Trisha, you got it. Thanks again.
I mentioned this last week(on the update)….I can’t stand Goose Gossage, why can’t he be a quiet retired guy…he’s another attention grabber like Shilling
Randy, love the Boyer story. I guess the moral is: Rookies don’t show up the veterans….rookies don’t drive better cars than veterans and rookies don’t show off better younger, looking women to veterans.
Gardner almost picked off.
You have to admit, 53 seven out saves is damn impressive….Until Rivera came along, I always considered The Goose to be the best closer ever….And that includes Sutter, Fingers……K-Rod is a clown, and Young Master Hughes is starter destined for great things….
Randy I , Great piece on # 6 Cletis Boyer…I would have loved to have met him…..Bobby Richardson told me he was the best gloveman he had ever seen….On DP’s, Bobby said that he’d get to the bag and the ball was always right at chest everytime as Boyer never missed the mark and always had mustard on the throw……Big on fundalmentals, which I think got him canned in Atlanta….Nobody went to the line better and had a better arm at third or even short for that matter…..Displaced mine ????
atta boy mitre
Mitre had a nice start.
Mitre pitched well today. 3 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts
Good interview with Goose. Agree with him re different eras for relievers, boy 57 3-out saves. Who knows what Mo would do in that era if his arm was prepped for that work
Pat M why do rank Goose ahead of Sutter or Fingers?
Lyle was another great multi-inning closer. His best was a 5.1 inning relief stint, coming into the game in the 4th inning.
Gaudin is now pitching for NYY. 0-0 scored in the bottom of the 4th inning
Goose just likes to hear himself talk.
Fran-
If you are out there…..
I finally DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe from Long Island…I like him because of the Goose Factor…He’s the one of the three who could come into the game in a jam and whiff everyone…Sutter was a swing and miss guy as well, but not to the level that Gossage was…Fingers pitched to contact and he gave up inherited runs more often than Goose and Sutter….Gossage struck fear into a hitter…That being said, Goose could get a bit wild before he settled into a groove and then it was lights out…..
Gaudin gives up a jack.
Now Gaudin drops the flip from Tex.
Gaudin in the 4th inning: 1 inning, 1 hit, 1 run, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 1 strikeout.
Gave up a solo homer to Brock Peterson. Gaudin drops a throw at 1st for an error.
Yanks in the top of the 5th inning.
Laird with a line single to left
If Mitre can induce groundballs, which is his primary advantage over Gaudin, he has value.
Erica,
Yay!!
Good team name. Now you have 2 weeks to get ready for the draft.
Gardner grounder to second, Laird safe at 2nd base
How did Swish do?
GB, Your boy Laird is having himself a real fine spring so far
Swisher lines out to right field
Pat M.
March 7th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
GB, Your boy Laird is having himself a real fine spring so far
————————————————————
Yeah, playing good defense, not striking out and lining singles all over the place. 1 to right, 1 to center and 2 to left in 8 at bats.
Teixeira flies out. no scoring. Twins lead 1-0.
Gardner seems to get picked off a lo….
Thanks for providing updates as the game is not televised or heard from local media.
I know the hitters are behind the pitchers, but the Yankees must be overtired from the long post-season as they’ve been incredibly quiet.
Great – now we’re going to have to hear from the mediots how Mitre has the clubhouse lead for the 5th starters’s spot.
Twins batting in the bottom of the 5th inning. Gaudin still pitching.
Casilla grounds out to 2nd.
Revere strikes out
Harris grounds to Pena at shortstop but Teixeira forgot to cover 1st base. Pena charged with an error.
Mauer walks
Cuddyer lines out to deep left down the line
Lauren
March 7th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Thanks for providing updates as the game is not televised or heard from local media.
————————————————————
You’re more than welcome. Happy to help
I think Goose’s honesty (or hubris, if you want to call it that) is refreshing. Too many former players give you boring, boilerplate answers. Goose speaks his mind, unfiltered.
Yanks in top of the 6th inning.
Cano lines a single to left center. Russo pinch running
Goose’s honesty on subjects other than closers is refreshing. When it comes to Mo, he’s bitter as all get out.
how are people updating the game? where are u watching it?
Thames batting
Pop up to shortstop
Hoffmann batting flies out to right field
“I know the hitters are behind the pitchers, but the Yankees must be overtired from the long post-season as they’ve been incredibly quiet.”
I think it’s the other way around, but I do agree that the Yankees are behind other teams at this point in terms of gearing it up for games, which is fine.
jennifer
March 7th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
how are people updating the game? where are u watching it?
————————————————————
No video, Jennifer. Just relaying the radio feed
Rich, I was sort of being sarcastic. I know that ST results don’t matter, but boy – they look awful (or it sounds like they look awful).
Gaudin still pitching in the 6th inning.
Kubel hits a solo homer to lead off the inning
Betsy,
As the saying goes: Many a true word is spoken in jest.
Peterson doubles off of the left field fence.
ahh okay. How do you have the radio feed?
Pitchers are generally ahead of the hitters by two weeks as far as getting their work in.
It also seems that Granderson is having some defensive issues…
Igawa now pitching in the bottom of the 6th inning. 2-0 Twins.
Runner on 2nd, 0 outs
Rich – yep; there is always some truth in humor.
GB, I know it’s nothing to be taken seriously, but it seems like the Yankees are having a harder time getting it in gear offensively.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day March 7th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
It also seems that Granderson is having some defensive issues…
what?
Jennifer, if you subscribe to MLB.Com you can get TV and radio feeds. Radio feeds on almost every spring training game
Granderson’s issues the other day I think had more to do with the wind than with having defensive problems.
is granderson even playing today?
single to right field.
yes, thanks GB for the updates
I always liked Goose, but I agree w/ you Betsy, he does seem very bitter w/ regards to Mo. He would be better off letting others make the comparisons.
Is Igawa showing himself to be the pitcher will all know and well dislike? lol
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
March 7th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Rich – yep; there is always some truth in humor.
GB, I know it’s nothing to be taken seriously, but it seems like the Yankees are having a harder time getting it in gear offensively.
————————————————————
They start every spring like this, because getting in the work is more important to a veteran club. They generally finish with a strong run to close out Florida. Not a concern as long as they stay healthy.
run scored on a grounder to 1st base…Winfree playing first.
WP. 1 out runner on 2nd
ground out to short stop. Two outs.
GB thanks for the scoring. Who is broadcasting the game?
*** Erica just for you:
http://tinyurl.com/yjwwqf6
Regards,
Comet
“You will probably see the beard, but it might take the whole season for the hair to grow back. I went into the offseason not knowing if I had to keep my hair short, but I can pull out a wig. ”
******
Oh boy he is truly an idiot. Um you let your hair grow and if you returned to the Yankees you cut it.
Revere singles to shortstop on a bobble to Pena. Igawa has 3 grounders that should have been made plus a fly to right that should have been caught.
Another misplay on a ground rule double to right field. Jon Weber is not long for this world. 5-0 Twins.
Walk. Bases loaded. 2 outs. Everything is high.
Grand Slam. 8-0 twins
Blame this on the defense. Igawa got 5 outs and probably should have gotten 6 outs.
Yanks batting top of the 7th inning.
Nunez flies to deep left.
Vazques playing 3rd base and batting. Lines out to deep left.
Golson batting. Strikes out.
Higashioka is catching for NYY.
GB, that’s true…and I should know that. 8-0 ? LOL
Twins batting in bottom of the 7th inning.
Ryan Pope pitching for NY
GB, who made the errors?
Ugh!!!!!!!!!!! luckily it’s only a ST game. Speaking of Goose’s comments in regards to Mariano ….while it’s annoying but certainly not ludicrous as Jerry Manuel compares Mejia to Mo.
Peterson pops up to shortstop
Jones flies out to right center
Tobert pops out to 3rd.
Pope pitches a perfect 7th inning….17 pitches.
Graduate from Savannah College Of art and Design. His first pitching coach was Luis Tiant.
Yanks in Top o the 8th inning
Montero doubles down the right field line
I’m sure the Yankees took some extra time off and may have delayed whatever programs they do to get ready for the season. We also need to remember that the SP were specifically instructed (well, not Javy) to start their throwing programs later than usual given their heavy workload, so if CC, AJ and Andy struggle early on, it would be no surprise.
Montero is making it hard to not consider bringing him up if Posada goes down for any length of time. i know his catching needs work, but his hitting is ready.
GB, thanks! Nice to see Montero doing well – one of the few bright spots today
expect CC to struggle until mid may. he does it every year, but after that he is untouchable.
same with tex.
Betsy, Pena made one error and bobbled a play on grounder by Revere and Weber botched two flies to right for hits.
There were no errors charged in the 7th inning, though.
I think it’s way too early to say that his hitting is ready based on a few at bats in ST (especially since he’s probably facing some green kid pitcher who has no prayer of making the team).
I hope he didn’t teach him his wind up.
GB, thanks! If Pena isn’t going to field well, then maybe Russo has a chance. Pena can’t hit – so he has to do it all with the glove. I’d prefer Russo anyway……..if he continues to show that he can hit.
Winfree grounds out, Montero moves to third.
Russo pops out to first base
Gorecki grounds out to short
Twins lead 8-0
Pena hit well for a rookie last year with long stretches on the bench. He;s a good, useful fielder around the infield. Russo’s advantage is that he plays the outfield, too.
“if he continues to show that he can hit.”
You mean continue to hit against some “green kid pitcher who has no prayer of making the team”
cc sabathia and andy pettite at the lakers magic game on ABC
oh i can’t see it.
i love how close this team is off the field and cc is one of the biggest reasons why.
Azaz
March 7th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
cc sabathia and andy pettite at the lakers magic game on ABC
***********************
awesome!! Thanks for the heads up
Can’t see it, oh well, lol……
DJ Mitchell now pitching
1st pitch was a double off of left field fence.
2nd pitch was a single to right center.
Double play, run scores. 9-0 Twins
soft single over 2nd baseman
home run. 11-0 Twins
ground out.
DJ Mitchell is a Single A pitcher pitching against AAA and ML players. Not a concern.
Comet-
Thanks for the link. I vote that he should
fyi cablevision customers free movies on demand today. woo hoo
Azaz
March 7th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
cc sabathia and andy pettite at the lakers magic game on ABC
*************
Some of us don’t have ABC anymore!!!!!!!!!!
Another good outing for Mitre. He will provide good depth or trade value now that he’s farther removed from surgery.
GB, any reason why this kid is in camp? It seems unfair to stick him against players so much more advanced than he is………..Also, to be fair, do we know that the Twins single A players are also not in the game at this point?
Tarheelyank
March 7th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
“if he continues to show that he can hit.”
You mean continue to hit against some “green kid pitcher who has no prayer of making the team”
————————————————————
Jesse Crain is a solid relief pitcher.
GB-
In addition to your many other talents I see you’re now the voice of the Yankees as well.
Vin Scully has nothin on you.;)
I can’t take Mitre seriously based on two ST outings; if the Yankees can get something for him, fine. The papers are going to go crazy over him, but I’m sorry – there is no way anyone other than Phil or Joba get the #5 spot
http://www.gettyimages.com/det.....ages-Sport
CC
“I can’t take Mitre seriously based on two ST outings; if the Yankees can get something for him, fine. The papers are going to go crazy over him, but I’m sorry – there is no way anyone other than Phil or Joba get the #5 spot”
He’s not going to be the 5th starter no matter how well he does IMO. Cashman didn’t directly say it yesterday but he more or less said that they need Joba or Hughes to win that spot. However, Mitre is better than he showed last year and could provide good depth or possibly be a trade chip. Thats why its good if he does well.
Yanks batting in top of the 9th inning. Neshek pitching.
Weber singles to right
Higashioka walks
Nunez flies to right
Vazquez strikes out
Golson batting. Flies out to right
Final 11-0 Twins.
The Mighty Casey Kelly was pitching a minute ago for the Sox, didn’t look like anything special to me. Lars Anderson, another “elite” Red Sox prospect is batting now.
Blake, I agree. He seems like a good kid – I feel badly as my earlier comments made it sound like I am wishing ill on him. I’m definitely not – it’s his career at stake and I hope he does well. Pitching depth is important; if he does well, can’t he go to AAA? Gaudin is obviously making the team..
I hope Kobe didn’t shake the Yankees hands. He’s got a stomach virus.
GB, thanks for the blow by blow description. This looks like the beginning of the season last year, lol -lots of awful, crooked #s. Well, at least everyone emerged healthy from today’s game…
MTU
March 7th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
GB-
In addition to your many other talents I see you’re now the voice of the Yankees as well.
Vin Scully has nothin on you.;)
————————————————————
In my case, I’m sort of the fingers of the Yankees.
JackCurry1Jorge
Posada on Francisco Cervelli’s 2d concussion since Nov: “He’s going to have headaches. He already does. He’s got to take it slow.”
23 minutes ago via web
The Yankees can’t listen to Cervelli – they have to sideline him for as long as it takes for him to completely recover.
Betsy, I think he could go to AAA. Purely based on Cashman’s comments I think Joba and Phil would both have to really stink it up or get injured before one of them wasn’t the #5 but you never can have to many quality starters.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
March 7th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
GB, any reason why this kid is in camp? It seems unfair to stick him against players so much more advanced than he is………..Also, to be fair, do we know that the Twins single A players are also not in the game at this point?
————————————————————
This will be his 2nd pro season and probably just want to get him some innings. He could start the season in Trenton, so maybe NYYs are fast tracking him. He was drafted out of Clemson, and he’s really good.
Blake, I agree……I have to stop reading the papers, lol
1st cut(within a week):
Gorecki
Weber
Mitchell
who else ?
GB, thanks! The innings thing makes sense – I’ve read a lot of good things about him. I hope he doesn’t get discouraged after today…
Ledger_Yankees but until cervelli is done with the specialist, Girardi says he doesn’t want to speculate on a return date.
3 minutes ago
Ledger_Yankees Cervelli told Girardi he felt good today. if visit with specialist goes well tomorrow, Cervelli could be back for light work this week…
4 minutes ago
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
March 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
GB, thanks! The innings thing makes sense – I’ve read a lot of good things about him. I hope he doesn’t get discouraged after today…
————————————————————
He’ll be sent down shortly. Minor League ST games are ready to start next week.
YankeesWFAN Cervelli sees neurologist Mon. Girardi: “Hopefully after that he’ll come into the ballpark and be able to do some light stuff.”
47 seconds ago
MTU
March 7th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
1st cut(within a week):
Gorecki
Weber
Mitchell
who else ?
————————————————————
most of the catchers will be gone. I’d guess that Romine and Montero will stay with the yanks for a while.
Hoffmann hasn’t appeared to be such a great outfielder after all. apparently, he and Weber played a couple of flies a piece into singles and doubles.
The 1st wave of cuts will begin this week as Girardi and coaches begin to shape the team.
Projected regulars will get another at bat and starting pitchers will add another inning. Javy Vasquez, Damaso Marte, Andy, and Mo will begin to throw in games.
Lower level players will be reporting to the minor league complex.
They just showed Andy and CC at the Orlando/Laker game. Wonder if Jeter or Arod attend the Oscars tonight. Jeter was seen at Tampa airport last night by a fan.
Man…. KCs Alex Gordon has absolutely zero luck. He’s out for up to 5-6 weeks with a broken thumb.
GreenBeret7
March 7th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Hoffmann hasn’t appeared to be such a great outfielder after all. apparently, he and Weber played a couple of flies a piece into singles and doubles.
……………………
This makes a case for Colin Curtis to stick around and be a late cut.
I could be wrong but I believe there was only a radio feed available for today’s game. With no errors charged on the plays at issue, I wouldn’t rush into judgments about fielding capabilities based on today’s contest. There will be plenty of video evidence for all to see as the spring plays out.
It was great to see that the off season work from Mitre has been paying off. He has had two solid performances so far this spring and hopefully will continue to deliver. Especially after that awful Chamberlain and Hughes duet that made me want to throw up. I sensed that it was only a matter of time until Joba self-destructed. They say he had the flu the day before so I will at least give him the benefit of the doubt. However, I still will place heavy criticism on him until he puts up consistent numbers or retires batters on a regular.
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