Spring Training #GrapefruitGators
After a 47-minute first inning, the Yankees found themselves on the wrong end of a 7-1 deficit. New York burned through three pitchers in the prolonged the inning.
By the time the second inning began, nearly an hour had passed. Home fans in the stadium were not pleased and the Yankees had to respond.
The Philadelphia Phillies (9-8) held on to defeat the New York Yankees (9-10) 9-8 in Wednesday’s matinee matchup between the teams. The Phillies got out to a large lead early, but the Yankees stormed back and refused to go away.
Wednesday W pic.twitter.com/2OEfoBN10C
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 15, 2023
The Game
First Inning: Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino struggled to find the strike zone and surrendered walks to the first two batters he faced.
With runners on first and second, Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos roped a line drive into left field to score outfielder Brandon Marsh from second. Rhys Hoskins scored on a pass ball during the following at-bat to give the Phillies the early 2-0 lead.
Severino was pulled after recording just one out, via strikeout, after facing five batters.
Yankees relief pitcher Carlos Gomez did not fare any better. After walking the first batter he faced, Gomez surrendered a single to Philadelphia second baseman Josh Harrison, scoring another first-inning run for the Phillies.
Gomez struck out the next batter, then walked Phillies catcher Aramis Garcia with the bases loaded to put the Phillies ahead 4-0.
Marsh hit a towering fly ball to the warning track that was mis-played by the Yankee center fielder. Another three runs scored off this play, capping off a monster seven run top of the first for the Phillies.
Yankees reliever Caleb Kowart finally puts an end to a disastrous top of the first for the Yankees. Brandon Marsh picks up three RBI’s on a misplayed fly ball, as the Yankees burn through three pitchers. NYY: 0 PHI: 7 pic.twitter.com/NXOAHxCQmN
— Austin Stirling (@austinstirlingg) March 15, 2023
New York outfielder Aaron Judge got things started for the Yankees by ripping a double down the third-base line. Yankees utility player Oswaldo Cabrera followed him up with a double over the right fielder’s head to put the Yankees on the board.
Second Inning: In an extremely unique event, Severino re-entered the game in the top of second. He appeared much more settled and pitched two scoreless innings after his rough start in the first.
In the something that I believe can only happen in spring training, starting pitcher Luis Severino has re-entered the game for the Yankees.
— Austin Stirling (@austinstirlingg) March 15, 2023
Sixth Inning: The Yankees broke the nearly five-inning scoreless skid, plaguing both teams, on a single from catcher Jake Baurs that scored outfielder Aaron Hicks. Yankee shortstop Anthony Volpe followed him up with an RBI single into left field to cut the deficit to 7-3.
After nearly five scoreless innings, catcher Jake Baurs and shortstop Anthony Volpe knock in runs for the Yankees to bring the Yankees a little closer! NYY: 3 PHI: 7 pic.twitter.com/b5JUhQG48c
— Austin Stirling (@austinstirlingg) March 15, 2023
The Phillies pitchers struggled to find the strike zone after allowing those runs. The Philadelphia pitching staff walked the next three batters and allowed two more runs to score in a four-run inning for the Yankees.
Eighth and Ninth Innings: Yankee shortstop Wilmer Difo singled to left field to score a run. New York designated hitter Elijah Dunham then hit into a fielder’s choice, but scored the runner from third to tie the game at seven.
Two batters later, Yankee catcher Mickey Gasper singled to right field to put the Yankees on top 8-7 and give the team its first lead of the day.
Phillies first baseman Madison Stokes hammered a solo homer to left field to tie the game at eight to lead off the ninth.
The Phillies proceeded to load the bases later in the inning. Third baseman Jim Haley hit a ground ball to third base that scored the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice.
The Yankees were unable to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth and fell to the Phillies 9-8 in a back-and-forth thriller.
Takeaways
For the winning Phillies, ace pitcher Aaron Nola had a fantastic outing. He pitched 3.2 innings and only surrendered one run, while racking up seven strikeouts.
The team’s quick start and strong finish on offense was a positive sign, although they will look to avoid the drop-off they suffered in the middle innings.
To recap: we scored 7 runs in the first inning. We're gifting you with some of them pic.twitter.com/T1unvDzenE
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 15, 2023
Despite the loss, the Yankees will likely be very happy with what they saw today. Production from players like Judge and Cabrera are a welcome sign, as both will have large roles on the team during the regular season.
Yankees utility player Oswaldo Cabrera gets the Yanks on the board with a double into right. Aaron Judge scored from second on the play. pic.twitter.com/NYcAotCn7X
— Austin Stirling (@austinstirlingg) March 15, 2023
The performance of Anthony Volpe, the Yankees top-ranked prospect, is also something that is sure to have manager Aaron Boone smiling from ear-to-ear. The 21-year-old proved effective at the plate, going 1-2 with two walks and an RBI.
He displayed some speed and recorded a stolen base. Volpe shined on the defensive end as well, making two great throws on the run at shortstop .
Yankees top prospect @Volpe_Anthony has wheels 🏃💨 pic.twitter.com/eYqiSRkCcZ
— Austin Stirling (@austinstirlingg) March 15, 2023
Looking Ahead
The Phillies will play their next spring training game on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers at 6:05 p.m.
As for the Yankees, they will next be in action Thursday night to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:35.
