Yankees split squads win big against Braves, Jays
John Allen
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On Sunday, the New York Yankees played two spring training games and their split squads won both decisively against the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays. At Tampa’s George M. Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees beat the Braves 7-0 and Clarke Schmidt showcased his new version of the fastball.
The New York Yankees‘ other squad traveled to Dunedin, Florida, where they crushed the Blue Jays 9-5. Anthony Volpe showcased his mettle in that spring training game.
Yankees vs Blue Jays: 9-5
In the top of the first, Josh Donaldson hit a single. Willie Calhoun’s double moved him to third. Andres Chaparro at first base drove in Donaldson to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. Calhoun could have scored more, but Kevin Kiermaier threw him out.
Top Yankees prospect Anthony Volpe led off the third with a double down the right-field line. He moved to third on a wild pitch, and Calhoun’s line drive to center field allowed him to make it 2-0. Volpe went 2-for-4 on the day and drove in two runs.
In the top of the fourth, catcher Carlos Narvaez and second baseman Jesus Bastidas both hit home runs, giving the Yankees a 4-0 lead. Volpe then hit a single and stole second and third. After Donaldson walked, which put runners on second and third for the Yankees, Calhoun went into a double play, Volpe scored, and the score was 5-0. In the fifth, the Bombers loaded the bases, and when Bastidas walked, he drove in a run to give them a 6-0 lead.
Mitch Spence had to leave after Matt Bowman got him with a runner on first in the bottom of the fifth. The first batter Bowman faced was hit by a pitch. The game was tied at 6-5 after Bowman gave up two home runs and four runs in just 0.2 innings. In the top of the sixth, Chaparro hit a home run, giving the Yankees a 7-5 lead. In the top of the eighth, Brandon Lockridge’s triple to center field drove in two runs to give the Yankees a four-run lead.
Yankees vs Braves: 7–0
After three straight singles to start the game, catcher Jose Trevino hit a grand slam to left field to give the Yankees a 4-0 lead. Clarke Schmidt pitched two innings without giving up any runs. He did this by striking out five of the six batters he faced with his new fastball.
Albert Abreu quickly threw a 1-2-3 third inning, and Deivi Garcia kept the no-hit bid going into the fourth. He let two runners reach base, but Kevin Pillar was picked off at the second base. The young pitcher then shut out the Braves in the fifth, ending his day after two innings with no runs and two strikeouts. In the sixth inning, T.J. Rumfield’s double to right field drove in two runs and then he scored on Mickey Gasper’s double to make it 7-0.
Aaron Judge went 1 for 1 and scored a run, Gleyber Torres went 2 for 2 and scored a run, Aaron Hicks went 1 for 3 and scored a run, and Trevino went 1 for 2 and drove in four runs. Oswald Peraza went one for two, walked once, and struck out twice.
What do you think about the Yankees’ performance? Leave your comment below.