Let the Games Begin!

Spring Training games began today! Just over a month until the real games begin. Here’s a little run down from the start of the spring:



Yankees defeat the Blue Jays 6-1
The big news from this game is of course the solo home run by Brett Gardner. Also homering for the Yanks was some guy named Alex Rodriguez, maybe if this guy has a good spring he could be a September call up. Other offensive standouts for the Yanks was a double and 2 runs scored by Robinson Cano and a double by top prospect Austin Jackson. On the hill Brett Tomko got the start going 2 innings and allowing just 1 hit without any runs, walks, or strikeouts. We also saw the return of Kei Igawa who went 1 scoreless inning giving up one hit and striking out one. Game two of the spring is Thursday against the defending AL champion Tampa Bay Rays. Hopefully this spring meeting will be a little less hostile than last years.



Mets defeat the Orioles 9-3
It was a great start to the spring for the Mets. The guys in the lineup with the biggest question marks attached to them started the spring games red hot. Luis Castillo, Ryan Church, and Daniel Murphy all had 2 hit’s a piece. Castillo added 4 RBIs while Church chipped in 3 RBIs with his 2 doubles. Outfield prospect Nick Evans added 3 hits and 3 runs scored. Darren O’Day and Brian Stokes both pitched perfect innings of relief. Last seasons workhorse in the pen Pedro Feliciano got the win pitching 1 1/3 of scoreless ball giving up 2 hits and striking out one. Duaner Sanchez also appeared giving up 1 run in 1 inning on 1 hit and 2 walks.

Other notes around the league
-Travis Ishikawa hit 2 Home Runs and Tim Lincecum pitched a scoreless inning in the Giants 10-7 victory over the Indians.
-Jake Peavy went 1 scoreless innings for the Padres in their 4-3 victory over Seattle in 10 innings.
-The defending World Series Champion Phillies started the spring 0-1 with a loss to the Pirates 8-2
-Hanley Ramirez homered in Florida’s 5-5 tie with the Cardinals.
-Defending AL champion Rays lost 7-0 to the Reds. For the Reds Edison Volquez and Johnny Cueto both pitch 3 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts. Very surprising to see the Reds let both of their best young pitchers go 3 innings in the first game of the spring.
-Finally my White Sox lost to the Angels 12-3.
-Robb Lennahan