TAMPA, Fla. -- A.J. Burnett allowed just one hit in two shutout innings in his spring training debut for the New York Yankees on Sunday, a 12-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers.Burnett was cleared to throw as many as 35 pitches, but needed far less than that to get through his first start in a Yankees uniform. He threw the rest of his allotted pitches in the bullpen. In the pitcher's next outing, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Burnett will stretch out to between 45 and 50 pitches.
Burnett said he felt physically strong and successfully mixed his curveball in for strikes. But he said his primary focus during the spring will remain honing his fastball.
"I want to establish the No.1, that's my bread and butter," Burnett said. "I threw a lost of fastballs today, but that's what I do. I get ahead with the fastballs. That's one of my main goals this spring is to get that down and away locked in."
Yankees infielder Angel Berroa went 2-for-3, including a three-run homer, and finished with four RBIs.
Designated hitter Hideki Matsui said his surgically repaired left knee felt fine after having to do some base running in his second-straight spring training game. Matsui drew a pair of walks, scored a run and eve had to go from first-to-third on a play.
"So far, no problems," Matsui said through an interpreter. Girardi said he wants to see how Matsui's knee bounces back on Monday morning.
Closer Mariano Rivera is expected back on Monday from the World Baseball Classic. Though he's not playing in the tournament, he participated in opening ceremonies and was on the bench with the national team from his native Panama.
0 comments:
Post a Comment