Yankees Spring Training Game 9: Castro plates 3 in tie

Starlin Castro leads the team to a tie in the visit to the Orioles.

New York Yankees 4 – Baltimore Orioles 4

Half of the Yankees show took the road in a split squad visit to the Baltimore Orioles.

In the first inning, Jacoby Ellsbury and third baseman Rob Refsnyder got things started with a pair of singles. Starting at shortstop for the Yankees, Starlin Castro hit a double to bring home Ellsbury and give the Yankees the early one-run lead. With some solid situational hitting, Aaron Hicks grounded out to the right side of the infield and brought home Castro for the 2-0 Yankees lead.

Bryan Mitchell got the start for the Yankees on the road and Adam Jones struck for his first home run of the Spring. The opposite field home run cut the Yankees lead in half but it was the only blip on Mitchell's outing. In two innings, Bryan Mitchell allowed one run on four hits while striking out two.

The game remained 2-1 until the fifth inning when the Yankees came up against Orioles prospect Dylan Bundy.

Kyle Higashioka and Jacoby Ellsbury greeted Bundy with a pair of singles. A ground out advanced them into scoring position and Starlin Castro came through yet again with a single that scored two. His third hit of the game brought home his second and third RBI of the game. After five, the Yankees led 4-1.

Relievers Kyle Haynes and Anthony Swarzak maintained the lead but a difficult seventh inning for James Pazos and the Yankees' defense affected the result of today's game.

After a leadoff single, James Pazos struck out the next two batters. A ground ball was bobbled by shortstop Jorge Mateo that extended the inning. A walk loaded the bases and an infield single by Hyun Soo Kim brought in one unearned run. Chad Green came in for Pazos but the defense let Yankees' pitching down once again. On a single to left field, two runs scored and a throwing error by outfielder Tyler Austin let him advance into scoring position.

The three runs that scored against James Pazos in 2/3 of an inning were all unearned but the game was tied. This game ultimately ended in a tie. Again, only in Spring Training.

Notables

Yankees

*Starlin Castro – 3 for 3, 2B, 3 RBI (5)

*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 3, 2 R

Orioles

*Adam Jones – 1 for 3, R, Solo Home Run (1) in the 1st, RBI (2)

*Steve Tolleson – 1 for 1, 2 RBI (2)