Phils Drop Yanks 8-3

FINAL	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1		3	9	0
Philadelphia	0	1	0	0	0	4	3	0	X		8	12	2

After being rained out in Tampa and Dunedin, Chien-Ming Wang finally was able to pitch when he arrived in Clearwater for the Yanks-Phillies game. He started for the Yanks and went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, and he also struck out two.

Brian Bruney came on in relief of Wang and continued his very unimpressive spring. In one inning he allowed two runs on two hits, including a home run, and struck out two. I know spring stats don't matter, but so far he's got a 7.56 ERA and has allowed three home runs in 8.1 innings pitched. I'm not ready to panic or anything like that, but it's coming to the point where Bruney needs to get his act together. The season is now less than two weeks away. With that said, it doesn't seem like Bruney is too concerned, “Actually, I’m kind of bored of spring training,’’ Bruney said. “I wish the season started tomorrow.’’

Dan Giese got hammered today, giving up three runs on four hits in one inning of work.

Brett Tomko pitched one scoreless inning, allowing just a hit and striking out one. He seems to be the leading candidate for the long relief role. Basically it's a two horse race between him and Alfredo Aceves.

The offensive highlights of the day:

Xavier Nady went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Mark Teixeira went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

Ramiro Pena was the only Yankee to have a multi-hit game, he went 2-for-3.

Johnny Damon went 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base.

And John Rodriguez went 1-for-1 with a RBI.

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Posada, C	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	.333
Molina, J, C	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.289
Damon, LF	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	.293
a-Gardner, PH-CF	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	.405
Teixeira, 1B	3	1	1	0	0	0	3	.412
b-Swisher, PH-RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.257
Nady, RF	2	0	1	1	1	0	0	.256
Berroa, 3B	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.375
Cano, 2B	3	0	0	0	0	0	4	.387
Miranda, 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.229
Ransom, 3B	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.294
Jackson, A, LF	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.314
Cabrera, M, CF	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	.295
Nunez, E, SS	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	.385
Pena, SS	3	0	2	0	0	0	1	.289
Bernier, 2B	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.280
Wang, P	3	0	0	0	0	3	3	.000
Bruney, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Giese, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500
Tomko, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
c-Rodriguez, J, PH	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	.350
Totals	34	3	9	2	4	7	15
a-Singled for Damon in the 7th. b-Hit into a double play for Teixeira in the 7th. c-Singled for Tomko in the 9th.
BATTING 2B: Teixeira (5, Happ). TB: Damon; Gardner; Teixeira 2; Nady; Cabrera, M; Pena 2; Bernier; Rodriguez, J. RBI: Nady (6), Rodriguez, J (3). 2-out RBI: Nady. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano; Gardner. GIDP: Teixeira; Molina, J. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Damon (1, 2nd base off Happ/Paulino). FIELDING DP: 2 (Ransom-Cano-Teixeira, Cano-Pena-Teixeira).

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Wang (L, 0-2)	5.0	5	3	3	2	2	0	3.24
Bruney	1.0	2	2	2	0	2	1	7.56
Giese	1.0	4	3	3	0	3	1	7.42
Tomko	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1.46

The Yankees take on the Boston Red Sox tomorrow night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. A.J. Burnett will be on the mound for the Bombers, and he will face knuckle baller Tim Wakefield. Derek Jeter is expected back from the WBC and should be in the lineup. Game time is set for 7:15 p.m., and the game can be seen on YES and heard on WCBS 880.