Atlanta Braves 2 – New York Yankees 3
Despite the hour rain delay, the Yankees hosted the Atlanta Braves in today’s spring win.
Michael Pineda started today’s game and received some spectacular defense to help him out. After a leadoff double to Ender Inciarte, the Braves’ outfielder stole third base. On a fly out to left fielder Chris Denorfia, Inciarte made a dash for home but Denorfia threw home and caught the runner with an early outfield assist to keep the Braves off the scoreboard. Then, Nick Swisher had a bid for extra bases robbed when Jacoby Ellsbury ranged into right-center field and made a great sliding catch to end the inning with an ovation from the crowd.
After a scoreless second inning, the Braves got the first run of the game with a pair of singles.
In the fourth inning, Didi Gregorius led off with a walk. With one out, Mark Teixeira tore through the shift with an infield single past the diving first baseman, Nick Swisher. Another single by Carlos Beltran brought in the Yankees first run of the game, tying it at one. Chase Headley broke the tie with a run-scoring double to deep left field and a third run came in on a single to center field by Starlin Castro.
Michael Pineda went four innings, allowing one run on four hits without a walk and four strikeouts.
Aroldis Chapman came in for the fifth inning and surrendered a run on a pair of doubles but the damage was minimized with a strikeout and a pair of ground outs. Unfortunately, the bottom of the fifth inning featured a scary sight as Jacoby Ellsbury came to the plate against Braves starter Julio Teheran and Ellsbury was hit on the right wrist with a pitch. He exited the game immediately and was sent to receive an x-ray to assess the damage.
Chasen Shreve, Nick Goody, Diego Moreno and Kirby Yates each pitched a scoreless inning to finish off today’s game and maintain the 3-2 win.
Win – Michael Pineda
Loss – Julio Teheran
Save – Kirby Yates
Notables
Braves
*Jace Peterson – 2 for 3, R, 2B, RBI (7)
*Blake Lalli – 2 for 3, RBI (2)
Yankees
*Chase Headley – 1 for 2, 2B, RBI (3)
*Starlin Castro – 2 for 3, RBI (9)
