Nova struggles as Yanks lose 6-3 to Orioles

If Joe Girardi’s competition for the rotation spots started already, then Ivan Nova certainly didn’t make his case tonight as the Yanks were defeated 6-3 vs. the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota. Nova went 4 innings but gave up 5 runs on 7 hits with 4 strikeouts.

David Phelps pitched 2/3 of a inning without giving up a run, Clay Rapada faced 1 batter and retired him, D.J Mitchell gave up 1 run on 2 base hits and George Kontos who was in his first outing since coming off an injury had a perfect scoreless inning.

Brett Gardner was the star defensively for the Yankees, getting a double play at 1st base from center field. He also went 1 for 3 and swiped his 4th bag of the spring, tying himself with Russell Martin for the most Yankees stolen bases in Spring Training. Eduardo Nunez went 1 for 3 as well as Mark Teixeira.

Robinson Cano left the game in the 6th inning after being hit by a pitch. He had x-rays done which came back negative. We’ll see how Cano’s hand is doing tomorrow.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Yankees have an off-day tomorrow, their first of 2 this Spring. Yankees will be back in action on Tuesday as they face the Pirates at GMS Field. The game will be televised on YES at 7:05pm.