Philadelphia Phillies lose 0-3 against New York Yankees in Spring Training – MLB Update
Undone largely by their batters, Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Austin Hyatt leaked runs halfway through the game to hand New York Yankees a 0-3 win at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida during their Spring Training Grapefruit contest on March
11, 2012.
Out of 29 at-bats faced by Phillies, only three hits were generated and if perceived from a different angle, Yankees out-witted their batters thoroughly. However looking at Yankees response to pitches, Phillies’ pitchers almost did the same thing as they
also gave just eight hits in 32 at-bats awarded. Only thing that took Yankees ahead in the game was their ability to capitalise on hits and score immediate runs on those strikes.
For a season expected of his last, Yankee’s closer Mariano Rivera stirred the crowd with his charismatic presence in the game and sent a clear message to their opponents by pitching a tremendous one inning spell. Happy with the standing ovation he received,
he looked eager to make his 18th Major League season another big success for him.
"I always appreciate it," he said. "It don't matter the situation. I always appreciate it."
Phillies’ batters including Ty Wigginton, Luis Montanez, Hector Luna were taken out cheaply by Rivera as he easily got Wigginton to flyout and tempted Montanez for a flyball that Chris Dickerson came down to catch. Similarly Luna was undone by his grounder.
"He looked sharp," Yankees’ catcher Russell Martin uttered. "When doesn't he look sharp -- that's the question? Same guy as last year. Same guy for the last 20 years. The command he has is second to none."
Kyle Kendrick looked fit to justify his two-year $7.5 million contract with Phillies as he pitched three shutout innings without giving any walk while getting two strike-outs and giving away only three hits.
Out of nine games Phillies have played so far in Spring Training, they have lost five. Still there are many areas that they have shown improvement in training.
A loss against a strong side like the Yankees will not hamper their confidence that much. Instead the fact they kept their hitters at bay on a number of occasions can lift their morale in many ways in the coming games.
Tags: