New York Yankees 9 — Houston Astros 4
Scott Baker took the hill as the starting pitcher of today’s game against the Houston Astros. The first three batters Baker faced all hit singles to load the bases with no outs. Chris Carter would hit a double to left field, scoring two runs. Luis Valbuena followed with a run-scoring single and just like that the Yankees trailed by three runs before they could get the first out.
In just one inning of work, Scott Baker allowed three runs on six hits without a walk and struck out two. Not a good first start for the veteran Baker.
In the sixth inning, Ramon Flores led off the inning with his first home run of the Spring. Jason Castro would get the run back for the Astros in the bottom of the inning with a run-scoring double, putting themselves back ahead by three.
In the eighth inning, the young invites to camp continue to swing the bat well. Jake Cave would go deep to bring the Yankees within two. Nick Noonan would hit a double and Jose Pirela followed with a triple to bring around the Yankees second run of the inning.
With the Yankees still trailing by one, three singles among the first four batters would give the Yankees a great opportunity with one out and the bases loaded. A bases-loaded walk to Noonan tied the game at four. Then, with two outs, Rob Refsnyder would hit a single to left field and two runs would score as the Yankees rallied back from a rough first inning all the way to a two-run lead. A balk would score the Yankees fourth run of the inning but Greg Bird would put the exclamation point on the inning with a two-run home run to right field, finishing off a six-run ninth inning.
The Astros would go down in order in the bottom of the inning and the young Yankees generated a comeback with contributions from nearly everyone.
Win – Caleb Cotham (1-0)
Loss – Jordan Jankowski (0-1)
Notables
Yankees
*Greg Bird – 1 for 2, R, Two-Run Home Run (1) in the 9, 2 RBI (3)
*Nick Noonan – 1 for 1, 2 R, BB, 2B, RBI (2)
Astros
*Chris Carter – 1 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI (2)
*Jason Castro – 2 for 3, 2B, RBI (1)
Current Yankees Spring Record: 3-2
