Yanks Blank Nats, 7-0
The Yankees scored single runs in each of the first two innings and then posted crooked numbers in the 4th and 5th. It was six runs more than required as the Nats were nearly no-hit, 7-0 for their first loss of the spring.
Andrew Alvarez got the start and gave up a leadoff HR in the 1st before settling down in the 1st. Only a double play prevented this from becoming a laugher sooner as Alvarez gave up two hits, walked two, and threw two pitches past Keibert Ruiz.
The turning-27-in-June southpaw finished with two runs lets in on three hits (one HR), two walks, and three strikeouts over two innings.
Christian “Hey It’s” Franklin, who started the game in LF, broke up the no-no with a one-out single in the 3rd. He would stay there for four (4) pitches until Tres Barrera grounded into a 6-4-3 DP to end the inning.
The next 18 batters went in order as New York did not issue a walk, hit a batter, or commit an error. Six Yankees pitchers combined to strike out 12 Nats batters.
Abimelec Ortiz joined Franklin in the starting lineup and played 1B. Phillip Glasser (RF), Andrew Pinckney (CF), Yoyo Morales (3B), Orelvis Martinez (2B), and Sam Brown (LF) each came off the bench for a single at-bat.
Washington returns to daylight action (maybe) with a visit to Clearwater to play the Phillies. Jake Eder is expected to make his second start. The game is today’s freebie on MLB.com.
the worst part of that game was it was available to watch. at least we were spared from listening to Frandsen.
It’s a weird ST. With a comically inexperienced squad, we strangely have very few actual positions open for prospects to try and claim: 1B (or 2B if Garcia gets moved there), DH, C and a utility role. Then MAYBE a SP and one or two bullpen spots.
With that in mind, I’m watching who’s getting the most playing time. So far, and it’s still super early, Keibert Ruiz leads all players in ABs, which isn’t surprising. Ford, though, isn’t far behind, while Millas has also gotten meaningful playing time, meaning we do have a roster battle on our hands. I’ll be curious to see how they handle this. Interestingly, when one of these 3 haven’t been behind the plate, they’ve often been used as the DH, further demonstrating the coaches want to get as much time as possible watching these guys.
At 1B, it’s less clear. Garcia has yet to appear, and of course there’s no news on why that is, which makes Garcia’s placement less clear. The current lead in playing time at 1B is Abimelec Ortiz, with Mervis and Bernabel getting a fair share. Maybe it’s Ortiz’s job to lose. Weirdly, Chaparro has only gotten 3 AB there so far.
On the pitching side, it’s still way too early the draw any conclusions (only 4 relievers have even pitched more than one game, and each for a total of 2 IP)
Mark Zuckerman has been reporting on Luis Garcia’s hamstring issue on his new site and indicates he is now day to day
Thanks. Don’t know how I missed that.
If Kiebert Ruiz gets ABs as a DH this season, my head may explode. Dude may be the worst offensive MLB player to get consistent ABs over the past four seasons. His past usage could be explained because, as a catcher, Kiebert doesn’t play a premium offensive positon (although he has been a crappy defensive catcher as well)… well, that and because the Nats decided to give Kiebert a long-term extension; so, there is/was a desire to justify the investment.
To use Ruiz in a lineup spot, DH, that is exclusively about offensive production would be insane.
He was league average vs LHP last year, and our most obvious DH candidates are all left handed (though Wood, admittedly, hasn’t shown much of a platoon split so far).
If Ruiz is playing well enough to get 80 games behind the plate, then I’m fine with him also having 25 at DH. But that assumes he’s playing much better than he has the past couple of years – if he’s not above replacement by June 1st, I cut him and give Ford a shot.