Game Recap

Lefty Jon Lester surrendered three hits and issued two walks as part of a four-run first inning as the Minnesota Twins rebounded from yesterday’s loss with a 5-0 defeat of the Red Sox today in Ft Myers.

The Sox wasted a solid scoring opportunity in the top of the first inning. CF Mike Cameron drew a walk off RHP Carl Pavano to open the game but was thrown out trying to steal second base. The caught-stealing proved costly when Victor Martinez doubled to left field one out later.

If the competition for the Yankees' No. 5 starter's spot is truly a five-man race, frontrunners Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes would currently rank fourth and fifth on the depth chart.

After Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves each turned in two scoreless innings of work in Wednesday's spring opener against the Pirates, Hughes and Chamberlain both struggled in their first outings on Friday.

The Minnesota Twins scored one run on two hits off RHP Josh Beckett in the first inning of tonight's Grapefruit League opener at a chilly City of Palms Park in Ft. Myers, FL (it was 45 degrees when the final out was recorded). Afterwards, Beckett and seven relievers shut down the opposing offense on two hits over the final eight innings in the Sox 2-1 win. 

Besides Beckett, only LHPs Hideki Okajima and Brian Shouse allowed singles in the ballgame. Red Sox pitchers combined to strike out four and issue three walks.

One of the few question marks for the Yankees entering the 2010 season is who will fill the fifth starter's role.

While the obvious choice would be Joba Chamberlain because of how the organization has babied the right-hander in preparation for what should be his coming-out party this year, manager Joe Girardi has decided to extend the saga by announcing that five hurlers have a shot at the job.

The New York Yankees played their first spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on Wednesday.

Their opponent was the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, who have remade their team hoping to have their first winning season in 18 years.

The remarks here are just some impressions from watching the game.

The Mets organization may not think Ike Davis is Major League ready just yet, but the young first baseman will see plenty of action in spring training.

With the Mets resting most of their regulars in yesterdays spring opener, Davis got the start at first base against the Atlanta Braves.

There were some first day jitters as Davis misjudged a foul territory pop up. The first baseman did admit to feeling a bit uncomfortable in the field yesterday. Let's not pass any judgements just yet, it was after all the first spring game of the season and he wasn't expecting to start.

It was a three-run fifth inning that sparked the New York Mets to a 4-2 win over the Atlanta Braves today in Grapefruit League action.  Russ Adams hit a solo shot off of Chris Resop in the eighth to put the game away.

Mets also got offense from Jesus Feliciano, who was 2-for-2, and Ike Davis made his name known for the first baseman job with a 2-for-3 day with a double.

The wait is over! The gates of Joker Marchant Stadium unlocked, and spring training is now officially underway.

The annual exhibition against Florida Southern is always a fun game. The rain held off, and despite hurricane-like winds, a good time was had by all.

Rather than spoon-feed the box scores to you, I thought I would share some useless random observations of mine from today's game.

Random Info

* Third baseman Colin Kaline (grandson of Al Kaline) went 2-for-3 with a walk for the Mocs.

A recent study from the New York Times concluded that air traffic controllers suffer the most stress than any other job. I beg to differ. Without a doubt, I confidently believe that being a Seattle Mariners fan is the most stressful "occupation" known to man.