Minnesota Twins 7 — New York Yankees 3
David Phelps got the start to today’s game against the Minnesota Twins. He allowed a run after a leadoff double came around to score in the first inning. Second baseman Brian Dozier would open the third inning of Phelps’ start with a no doubt home run but the Yankees offense did give him room for error.
In four innings, Phelps would reach 75 pitches. He allowed two runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
The Yankees supplied the offense from the beginning of the game. Jacoby Ellsbury would hustle a double on a base hit to right field. Brian Roberts would put a ground-rule double into left field to tie up the game. Mark Teixeira would hit a single to left field and would also advance to second when the Twins tried to get the runner out at home unsuccessfully. Eduardo Nunez would bring in the third run of the inning with a ground out. Unfortunately this would be all the offense the Yankees could produce.
In the sixth inning, Manny Banuelos made his second Spring appearance. Banuelos would give up a soft fly ball single to right field before losing the strike zone and walking the next two batters he faced to load the bases. He would bounce back for the first out when he struck out Aaron hicks but he would also let the Twins get ahead with a two-run ground-rule double. Fred Lewis would replace Banuelos and would give up two of the inherited runners.
Getting one out, Manny Banuelos allowed four runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. Two of the runs scored with Fred Lewis on the mound.
In the next inning, Fred Lewis would get into a jam of his own and would be relieved by the big man, Dellin Betances. The 6’8″ Betances would get a strikeout and a ground out that ended the inning, stranding the bases loaded. Betances would stay in the game for the eighth inning three easy outs in the full inning of work for him as he continues his stellar Spring.
In 1.2 innings today, Betances was perfect while striking out two. In eight scoreless innings this Spring, Betances has allowed two hits and two walks while striking out seven.
Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian Roberts and Mark Teixeira got the lone hits of the game for the Yankees. They were also the first and only hits of the game for the Yankees. The Twins settled down after quick early trouble and kept the Yankees hitless for the remainder of the game.
