Mar 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
CC Sabathia, competing for the fifth spot in the New York Yankees’ rotation, gave up two runs and three hits in a 5-4 split-squad victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday in a rain-shortened, five-inning game in Tampa, Fla.
The 35-year-old Sabathia is vying with Ivan Nova for a starting job. A decision is expected in the next few days. Meanwhile, Carlos Beltran struck the big blow against the Pirates with a two-run homer during a three-run second inning, and he added a sacrifice fly in a two-run third.
Yankees 7, Phillies 1
Masahiro Tanaka gave up seven hits and one run in four innings in a split-squad game against Philadelphia shortened to four innings because lightning in Clearwater, Fla. Dustin Ackley belted a three-run homer and Miguel Andujar also homered to provide offense for the Yankees.
Marlins 1, Mets 0
Chris Narveson, Paul Clemens, Dustin McGowan, Brad Hand and Cody Ege combined for a two-hitter as Miami beat New York in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Dee Gordon’s third-inning single drove in the only run and the Mets were unable to manage another hit after Yoenis Cespedes’ bloop single in the third.
Twins 6, Red Sox 2
Brian Dozier homered on the first pitch, Miguel Sano followed with a home run and Kurt Suzuki also hit one for Minnesota against Boston in a rain-shortened, seven-inning game in Fort Myers, Fla. Sano finished with three hits and three RBI, and Dozier and Trever Plouffe each had two hits.
Cardinals-Nationals, ppd.
Rain brought an early end to starts by aces Adam Wainwright and Stephen Strasburg in Jupiter, Fla., after St. Louis and Washington were rained out in the top of the fourth inning.
Rays-Blue Jays, pdd.
Logan Forsythe began the afternoon with a home run, but the game between Tampa Bay and a Toronto split squad was canceled after two innings because of rain in Dunedin, Fla.
Tigers-Blue Jays, ppd.
Justin Upton had a single and scored a run before rain came in the third inning and canceled Detroit’s game against a Toronto split squad in Lakeland, Fla.
