March 9, 2012, Tampa, Florida – The sun was hot and unrelenting in Tampa Friday as the Yanks, led by three scoreless frames from veteran righty Freddy Garcia, cruised to victory against a visiting squad from the Atlanta Braves. The largely absent Yankee offense made an appearance and, even if 3-0 doesn’t sound that impressive, the home team did force outfielders Michael Bourn and Jose Constanza, in center and left respectively, to repetitively retreat to the wall on a series of well-launched missiles.

The home team broke out on top in the first, with Derek Jeter legging out an infield hit to the shortstop hole. Atlanta first baseman Freddy Freeman made an impressive grab on Robinson Cano’s one-out base hit bid along the first base line, which moved Jeter to second, from where he easily trotted home on Nick Swisher’s opposite-field drive to the base of the left field wall. In pregame batting practice, both hitting coach Kevin Long and guest instructor Reggie Jackson were demonstrating the benefits of inside-outing the ball the other way, and the Bombers right fielder converted the lesson into a run almost immediately.

Atlanta starter Julio Teheran was victimized in his last outing in windy Florida conditions by allowing a barrage of home runs, but even though the skies were still and breezeless Friday, he continued to be a fly ball pitcher. But the Yanks failed to capitalize on leadoff doubles in the second and fourth innings and a one-out walk in the third. Though it seemed the team would pay for these failings, Garcia, Raphael Soriano, and Manny Banuelos kept the Braves off the board for six innings on just four hits. Third in the group, the young diminutive lefty threw innings five and six and impressed with his command, displaying a repetitive motion on all of his pitches that kept the visitors off-stride. He struck out three and allowed two hits.

The Yanks got some breathing room in the home fifth, as Curtis Granderson singled Jeter, who had walked, to third on the fifth straight strike from reliever Christian Martinez, and Robbie Cano delivered the captain with a sac fly. Two frames later, Doug Bernier, in for Jeter, legged out a double and outfielder Melky Mesa drove him in with a bloop single to right, for the 3-0 final.

Although the Braves did not bring a lot of firepower with them to Tampa, they did field a speedy team, presenting a challenge to which the Yankee defense responded. Jeter made a fine play on Tyler Pastornicky’s grounder into the hole in the first, then nailed speed burner Constanza to close out the second. One Atlanta batter later, Russell Martin was so quick in pouncing on Bourne’s bunt toward third that he nailed the centerfielder at first with a stride and a half to spare. Looking slim and trim, Martin also doubled and later stole a base, looking in midseason form in all aspects. Andruw Jones lined out hard and deep twice, but on defense he stumbled into Curtis Granderson in the outfield on the final out of the top of the fourth, an awkward-looking play we hope not to see again.

Approaching George M. Steinbrenner Field for our first 2012 spring game on foot from the East, it was easy to be struck yet again with the pure beauty of the whole campus. They’ve added a series of pitching mounds in the field behind the right field corner, farthest from where most visitors approach, and 16 or 20 hurlers, none who would pitch in this game, were getting their work in by tossing back and forth to one another. Moving on toward the front entrance and the other field on which most of the pregame batting practice takes place, it was impossible not to be impressed by the statue of the late Mr. Steinbrenner that fronts the entrance to the playing field. We scanned Monument Park South, stopping as usual before the plaque to Mickey Mantle, and then came upon a brand-new addition to the layout.

British film actress Glenda Jackson, star of a slew of great films and also a member of the British Parliament, celebrated her 76th birthday this day. As we made our way to the batting practice field, we came upon the facility’s newest feature, an impressive edifice made from steel that was left over from the Twin Towers following the events of 9/11/2001. Forged from this metal, the Yankees have added a replica of the Towers, dedicated in 2009, but not displayed until this preseason. Much like the title of one of Ms. Jackson’s signature films, it gave the festivities we were about to enjoy

A Touch of Class

BTW,TYW
YANKEE BASEBALL!!!