Yankees Buzz Jays 7-2

I was having a grand time, watching the game and chin-wagging with Mike, when all of a sudden the cable and Internet fizzled out.  Apparently some Comcast workers put a disconnect tag on the transformer box in my back yard.  That's what I get for paying my bills on time.  So I missed a lot.

Wilson Betemit, who has had a slow Spring, made up for lost opportunities with a 2-3 day, including a big blast off Jeremy Accardo to right to make it 6-1.  Betemit is in some good competition for a back-up spot, with Cody Ransom going 2-3 with an RBI today.  I still think the edge for the back-up spot goes to Betemit over Woodward and Ransom.  His power is something, and the guy produces runs, as he clearly showed last year.  Shelley Duncan was 2-5 with 2 RBIs, giving him a .343 average and 13 RBIs this Spring.  Matsui was 1-2 with a walk, upping his Spring average to .385.  That's good to see.  Damon was 2-3 with a run, another good sign.  The Yanks pounded out fifteen hits and worked five walks, outstanding work for the second straight game.

But the story, to me, is really the work of Kennedy, Joba and the staff as a whole which was not perfect today, but quite good against what was essentially the Jays' Opening Day lineup.  Kennedy allowed two first-inning hits, but was spared a lead-off runner at third when Shelley neatly fielded Ecksten's double in the right-field corner, threw a pea to Cano in short right, and Cano whirled and easily nabbed the speedy Eckstein at third--great relay work.  Kennedy did allow six hits in 4 1/3 IP, but walked no one and fanned four, allowing only one run.  From what I saw, he showed good command and a sharp curve.  Joba fanned the side in the 7th on 11 pitches.  What more can you say about the kid?  He'll be good, and his velocity in the pen will again be scary.  Nuke LaFarnsworth again struggled, allowing two hits and a run and walking one in one inning.  His Spring hasn't been horrible, but Nuke is never efficient.  It's just never easy with him despite having a rocket arm. Albaladejo allowed a hit in a scoreless 8th, and Britton--who deserves some consideration for the last spot with the club, with his 1.80 ERA--worked a perfect 9th with a strikeout.  Good work on the whole from the staff, and good to see Kennedy and Joba sharp against a good lineup. 

Apologies to Mike for my abrupt absence.