The Yankees had a split squad today with the Yankees playing in Tampa & in Fort Meyers vs. the Phillies & Twins. The Yankees were able to come away with the victory vs. the Phillies winning 3-0 while falling to the Twins 5-1.

Let’s start with the Tampa game. Coming into the game, CC Sabathia knew that he didn’t have a great start last time, but this time he came through, pitching 3 scoreless innings while making lefty hitters look foolish. Chris Dickerson had a 2 run single, Russell Martin swiped a base & Justin Maxwell scored on an error. To add to the excitement of the game, Mariano Rivera made his first Spring start of the season and of course Mariano pitched like Mariano.

Moving onto Fort Meyers, the Yankees hitters were quiet during the 5-1 loss to the Twins but the story was Phil Hughes. Hughes also had 3 scoreless innings and his fastball hit 94 MPH on the radar gun. Girardi joined the players to Fort Meyers to see Hughes, and he wasn’t disappointed. Brett Gardner got on base 2 out of 3 times (HBP & walk) and swiped second (watch out Russell Martin), Curtis Granderson hit a booming double (Gardner was cut down at the plate by Joe Mauer after a HBP to the leg), Nick Swisher hit a double & Francisco Cervelli was impressive, hitting a single, double and scoring the lone Yankees run. All and all, it was a successful day for the Yankees despite the loss in Fort Meyers.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Yankees will play the Braves once again. The Braves game is not televised but it is on Braves radio.