Yanks Beat Jays in Spring Training Opener

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Yankees opened up their spring training schedule in grand fashion today, defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1.

Alex Rodriguez responded to a chorus of boos by blasting a two-run home run in the fourth inning to give the Yankees 3-1 lead.

Brett Gardner led off the game with a solo homer.

Nick Swisher, Juan Miranda, and Todd Linden each added one RBI.

Also on the offense side, Derek Jeter went 1-for-3 with a run scored, Robinson Cano went 1-for-2 with a double and 2 runs scored, Austin Jackson went 1-for-2 with a double, and Kevin Cash went 2-for-3 and stole a base.

On the pitching side everyone but Jose Veras pitched well. Ironically, Jose Veras picked up the win.

Here's the box score:

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gardner, CF	3	1	1	1	0	0	2	.333
Jackson, A, CF	2	0	1	0	0	1	1	.500
Jeter, SS	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.333
Pena, SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000
Cano, 2B	2	2	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Ransom, 2B	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.000
Rodriguez, A, 3B	1	1	1	2	2	0	0	1.000
Russo, 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000
Swisher, RF	1	1	0	1	2	1	1	.000
Curtis, RF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Duncan, S, DH	3	0	0	0	0	2	4	.000
a-Montero, PH-DH	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Miranda, 1B	3	0	1	1	0	2	1	.333
Leone, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Linden, LF	3	0	1	1	0	1	3	.333
Rodriguez, John, LF	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	.500
Cash, C	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	.667
Pilittere, C	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000
Totals	37	6	11	6	5	13	22
a-Singled for Duncan, S in the 7th.
BATTING 2B: Cano (1, Bauer), Jackson, A (1, Hayhurst). HR: Gardner (1, 1st inning off Cecil, 0 on, 0 out), Rodriguez, A (1, 4th inning off Romero, R, 1 on, 0 out). TB: Gardner 4; Jackson, A 2; Jeter; Cano 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Montero; Miranda; Linden; Rodriguez, John; Cash 2. RBI: Gardner (1), Rodriguez, A 2 (2), Linden (1), Swisher (1), Miranda (1). 2-out RBI: Linden. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gardner; Russo 2; Pilittere. GIDP: Linden. Team LOB: 11. BASERUNNING SB: Cash (1, 2nd base off Burres/Thigpen). FIELDING E: Gardner (1, throw), Pena (1, throw), Leone (1, fielding), Russo (1, throw).

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Tomko	2.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Veras (W, 1-0)	1.0	1	1	1	2	2	0	9.00
Giese	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Igawa	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Garcia	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Dunn	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Jackson, S	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Robertson	1.0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0.00

The Yankees take on the defending AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays tomorrow afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Phil Hughes will make the start for the Yankees. The game is at 1:05 p.m. and will be on YES.