March 7, 2016

Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees

George M. Steinbrenner field

Tampa, Florida

Yankees shut-out by Astros

By:  Rocky Julich

The Houston Astros traveled from Kissimmee down the I-4 corridor, the interstate that connects to Tampa, to arrive at the New York Yankees George M. Steinbrenner Field.  It’s approximately 130 miles, 1-1/2 hours of travel.  A long ride for some players by today’s standards.

The 2016 season will be the Astros final Spring Training at the Osceola County Complex in Kissimmee.  At the start of the 2017 season, the club is scheduled to move to their new complex in West Palm Beach.  Situated along the I-75 corridor The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, state-of-the-art ballpark will be shared by Houston and the Washington Nationals who will be vacating their Space Coast Stadium in Viera.  The Astros and Nationals will then play nearer to the New York Mets (Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie), St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins (Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter).

The moves are an attempt by the clubs to cut down on travel time for their Major League teams while playing during Spring Training and providing better Player Development complexes for their Minor League clubs.

The Houston Astros inaugurated the 2013 season as an American League club, after spending their first 51 seasons (1962-2012) in the National League.  The Astros are the first team in Major League Baseball history to move from the National League to the American League.

The Astros spent 139 days of the 2015 season in first place in the AL West before clinching the Wild Card position on the final day of the regular MLB 162 game season.  They defeated New York Yankees 3-0 in the AL Wild Card game.  #19-RHP Masahiro Tanaka was the Yankees game losing pitcher.

The meeting of the two teams marks the first time they play each other since the 2015 Wild Card game.  It is the only time the teams will meet during their Spring Training schedule.

During Spring Training games, the Houston Astros are 5 – 1.  The New York Yankees are 2 – 4.

While the Astros 2015 team remains intact, this game included just two players who were on the Wild Card roster; #6-CF Jake Marisnick. #18-2B Luis Valbuena.

The Yankees #35-RHP Michael Pineda (Yaguate, D.R) took the mound as starting pitcher.  It was Pineda’s first outing during Spring Training;  2 innings, 2 hits, 3 strikeouts.  He received a no-decision.

The Astros went scoreless until the top of the 7^th inning.   The Yankees brought in their third reliever to the mound.  #68-RHP Dellin Betances.  Betances struck out the first batter he faced.  The Astros catcher #12 Max Stassi followed with a hit into the left centerfield gap which Lane Adams who replaced CF-Jacoby Ellsbury in the 7^th inning, failed to make the catch.  It turned into a double for Stassi.  The next batter #77-RF Andrew Aplin doubled to right to score Stassi from 2^nd base.  It was the only run of the game.

Game Notes:

Both Astros and Yankees connected 7 hits.

Both Astros and Yankees pitchers walked one batter

Both Astros and Yankees pitchers hit one batter

Both Astros and Yankees left 7 men on base.

Non-roster invitee #98-OF Lane Adams got two hits, twice stole 2^nd and twice was left on base.

Marks the 2^nd shut-out game for the Yankees (March 4^th – 3-0 vs. Detroit)

The Astros used 22 players, including 5 pitchers.

The Yankees used 25 players, including 6 pitchers.

Final:  Astros 1 – Yankees 0

WP:     Cesar Valdez (1-0)

LP:      Dellin Betances (0-1)

SV:      Juan Minaya (2)

Time:  2:32

Attendance:  8,041

Official Scorer:  Nicholas Flammia

RTFR Radio – Stay Tuned

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its’ clubs.

March 5, 2016

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

George M. Steinbrenner Field

Tampa, Florida

When Boston Comes To Town

By:  Rocky Julich

It’s a different mood.  No matter if it’s Yankee Stadium in The Bronx or GMS Field on North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa.  When Red Sox come to play, the atmosphere is festive as the fans arrive early and the autograph seekers line three around the seats of the visiters dugout.  The fans are everywhere.

2016 – A Yankees first look at the Boston Red Sox traveling team: #50-RF Mookie Betts, #12-2B Brock Holt, #47-3B Travis Shaw, #5-1B Allen Craig, #25-CF Jackie Bradley, Jr., #64-DH Bryce Brentz, #31-LF Brennan Boesch, #16-SS Deven Marrero, #3-C Sandy Leon.  #35-RHP Steven Wright.

The traveling Red Sox Roster is a line-up of non-roster players, rookies and three players with one-plus seasons of Major League service.

#34 David Ortiz did not travel with the team.  This marks his 20^th and final Spring training.  The Boston Red Sox will not play the Yankees in Tampa again this season.  A trip around-the-Grapefruit League during the final spring of David Ortiz career would have been welcomed by the fans.  Many fans in the ballpark will never step foot inside Yankee Stadium or visit Fenway Park’s Green Monster.  Why did Ortiz not make the trip?

The Major League Baseball players have evolved.  Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?

On a sunny afternoon at Steinbrenner Field, the Manager Joe Girardi listed on the Yankees line vs. Boston.  #22-CF Jacoby Ellsbury, #36-RF Carlos Beltran, #13-DH Alex Rodriguez, #25-1B Mark Teixeira, #34-C Brian McCann, #12-3B Chase Headley, #29-2B Dustin Ackley, #82-LF Ben Gamel, #93-SS Jorge Mateo.

Jorge Mateo (Santo Domingo Oeste, D.R.) is the Yankees No. 1 prospect and it’s exciting to watch his blazing speed on the field.  The infielder is 6’0”-188 lbs. and at 20 years of age, the youngest  player in camp.

Manager Joe Girardi lost no time in game strategy.  He simply let the Yankees play their game and he managed challenging Boston and entertaining fans by showcasing 9 pitchers, during 9 innings.

#81-RHP Tyler Cloyd (non-roster) faced 4 batters

#45-LHP Chasen Shreve – faced 3 batters

#50-RHP Nick Rumbelow – faced 3 batters

#75-RLP Tyler Olson – faced 4 batters

#83-RHP Johnny Barbato – faced 3 batters

#84-LHP Richard Blier (non-roster) faced 3 batters

#63-RHP Kyle Haynes (non-roster) faced 3 batters

#62-Mark Montgomery (non-roster) faced 6 batters

#73-RHP Nick Goody – faced 3 batters

None of the Yankees pitchers gave up a walked to a Boston player and only 5 hits were connected by the Red Sox  (2 homeruns against pitcher Montgomery).

Yankees Game Notes:

Jacoby Ellsbury – double, run scored

Carlos Beltran – single, run scored

Alex Rodriguez – 2 hits, BB (in two games 5 for 6 – one home run – 2 RBI)

Mark Teixeira – batted righthanded and lefthanded, one hit

Jorge Mateo – sprinted around the bases, lost his cap, connected first home run of spring.

Aaron Judge – 6’7” 255 lbs. (non-roster) Pinch hitter displayed his homerun trot in the 7^th inning.

Rob Refsnyder – Pinch hitter connects first hit, run.

Final:  Yankees 6 – 10 hits    Red Sox 4 – 5 hits

WP:     Nick Rumbelow (1-0)

LP:      Steven Wright (0-1)

SV:      Nick Goody (1)

Time:  2:18

Attendance:  10,991 (As expected the game was a sell-out)

RTFR Radio – Stay Tuned

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.