Vazquez Dominant, As Yanks Beat Nats

(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

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

WP: J. Vazquez (2-0)
LP: L. Hernandez (0-1)
SV: M. Melancon (1)
The story of tonight's game against the Nationals was Javier Vazquez. He pitched brilliantly, allowing just one run on four hits, walking none and striking out six in six innings pitched. The only blemish for Vazquez last night was an RBI double off the bat of Alberto Gonzalez. Sure, he wasn't exactly facing the '27 Yankees, but still, it's good to see him throwing the ball this well with just 11 days left until opening night in Fenway.

As for the rest of the Yankees pitching on the day, it was just as good. Damaso Marte allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless innings. Mariano Rivera followed with a scoreless inning, including two K's. And Mark Melancon also threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

Alex Rodriguez did most of the damage on the offensive side of the ball, going 2-for-3, with a triple, two RBIs, and a run scored. Impressive considering he's a day away from meeting with the feds in Toronto. Robinson Cano went 1-for-3 and drove in the Yankees third run. Nick Swisher picked up a hit, extending his hitting streak to nine games. For the rest of the Yankees offense check out the box score below.

AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Jeter, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .250 a-Pena, R, PH-SS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242 Johnson, N, DH 3 2 1 0 1 0 0 .333 Teixeira, 1B 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .364 Miranda, 1B 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .207 Rodriguez, A, 3B 3 1 2 2 0 0 0 .357 Cervelli, 3B 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .409 Cano, 2B 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .382 Russo, 2B 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .333 Posada, C 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 .346 Pilittere, C 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .182 Granderson, CF 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .281 Swisher, RF 3 0 1 0 0 1 3 .323 Golson, RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300 Gardner, LF 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .263 Totals 30 3 8 3 3 6 12 a-Lined out for Jeter in the 7th. BATTING 2B: Swisher (4, Hernandez, L), Johnson, N (3, Bergmann). 3B: Rodriguez, A (1, Hernandez, L). TB: Johnson, N 2; Rodriguez, A 4; Cervelli; Cano; Granderson; Swisher 2; Gardner. RBI: Rodriguez, A 2 (8), Cano (5). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Jeter; Posada; Swisher. Team RISP: 2-for-8. Team LOB: 6. BASERUNNING CS: Gardner (1, 2nd base by Bruney/Nieves). FIELDING DP: (Cano-Teixeira).

IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Vazquez, J (W, 2-0) 6.0 4 1 1 0 6 0 3.21 Marte, D (H, 1) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 27.00 Rivera, Ma (H, 3) 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 Melancon (S, 1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.45

Tomorrow's Game

The Yankees will head to Sarasota to take on the Orioles tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 PM. Alfredo Aceves will have one more chance to prove he deserves that fifth starters spot when he gets the ball for the Yankees. He will be facing right-hander Brad Bergesen. The game can be seen on MLB.TV.