Kuroda, Nova pitch well as Yankees sweep split squad 5-3 vs. Phillies & 6-4 vs. Twins

Today was a bit of a somber day for the Yankees. After hearing news that Joba Chamberlain might not come back this season due to a freak trampoline accident, the Yankees were a bit taken aback and worried. Nevertheless, Joe Girardi was able to send Ivan Nova & Hiroki Kuroda on the mound as the Yankees sweeped the split squad games 5-3 vs. the Phillies & 6-4 vs. the Twins.

Let’s start with the Phillies game. Hiroki Kuroda looked sharp throughout the game. He went 5.2 of an inning giving up 1 run on 6 hits, 1 BB & 3 K. David Phelps finished the game, going 3.1 IP with 2 runs on 3 hits. He had no strikeouts but allowed 1 HR. The 2 regulars Brett Gardner & Robinson Cano made the trip to Clearwater (which is 20 minutes from Tampa) and both did pretty well today. Gardner went 1 for 4 with a double & run scored while Robinson Cano went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s & 1 run scored. Francisco Cervelli (who will be the backup catcher to Russell Martin) went 2 for 4 today.

Let’s take a trip to Tampa where the Yankees played vs. the Twins. Ivan Nova was trying to come back from his last outing which we all had to admit wasn’t so good. Nova pitched 7 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and 5 strikeouts. Mariano Rivera came in the 8th & Rafael Soriano came in the 9th and of course, two brilliant scoreless innings. Derek Jeter left the game in the 3rd inning, but there was nothing wrong. Girardi just wanted to slowly ease Jeter back into the game. Before today, Jeter had not played since March 14. Ramiro Pena hit a solo shot while Eduardo Nunez went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI’s. It would be a wacky thought if Nunez didn’t throw anymore errors because of the HBP in the beginning of the Spring.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Yankees are slated for an ALDS rematch with the Detroit Tigers. The game will not be televised or on the radio. On Sunday the Yankees return to T.V to play once again, the Tigers. Coverage will be on YES Network & WCBS.