Yankees Spring Training Game 16: Refsnyder, Castro homer in road win

On the power of Refsnyder and Castro, the Yankees were victorious.

New York Yankees 7 – Pittsburgh Pirates 2

The Yankees made a visit to the Pittsburgh Pirates and they brought the big bats.

Masahiro Tanaka started for the Yankees and one of the best in the game did what he does. Andrew McCutchen put the Pirates ahead early with a solo home run to center field in the first inning. Tanaka also hit a batter in the inning but kept the damage to one.

The Yankees manufactured a run in the second inning when Chase Headley led off with a single. A double by Dustin Ackley put them both in scoring position before a ground out by Rob Refsnyder plated the tying run.

In two innings, Masahiro Tanaka allowed two runs on four hits with no walks and a strikeout.

A throwing error by Starlin Castro in the third inning gave reliever Johnny Barbato a rough start to his inning. After a single, Barbato got the next two outs but a single to right gave the Pirates back the lead.

In the fourth inning, Dustin Ackley got a one-out single and Rob Refsnyder brought them both home with a two-run home run to center field. Capable second basemen were the name of the offense today as Starlin Castro added his bat to the party when he hit a solo home run to deep center field in the fifth inning. A sacrifice fly by Chase Headley gave the Yankees a 5-2 lead after five innings.

Following the inning by Barbato, Luis Severino came in to get some work and he put in quality innings. In four innings, Luis Severino allowed no runs on two hits while walking none and striking out five.

The Yankees manufactured two more runs in the seventh inning and relievers Chasen Shreve and Tyler Olson put in a scoreless inning of work each to finish off today's win.

Win – Luis Severino

Loss – Jeff Locke

Notables

Yankees

*Rob Refsnyder – 1 for 3, R, Two-Run Home Run (1) in the 4th, 3 RBI (3)

*Starlin Castro – 1 for 2, R, Solo Home Run (2) in the 5th, RBI (8)

Pirates

*Andrew McCutchen – 1 for 3, R, Solo Home Run (3) in the 1st, RBI (5)

*John Jaso – 2 for 3, RBI (2)