Playing not only without their WBC participants, but without Mark Teixeira and without a DH, the Yankees fell to the Braves 3-2, dropping their spring record to 2-5-1 (including their “unofficial” loss to Team USA).

Lineup:

L – Johnny Damon (LF)
L – Brett Gardner (CF)
R – Xavier Nady (RF)
L – Juan Miranda (1B)
R – Angel Berroa (2B)
R – Jose Molina (C)
R – Kevin Russo (3B)
S – Ramiro Peña (SS)
R – Ian Kennedy (P)

Subs: Doug Bernier (2B), Eduardo Nuñez (SS), Justin Leone (3B), Austin Romine (C), Todd Linden (RF), Austin Jackson (CF), John Rodriguez (LF), Jesus Montero (PH)

Pitchers: Ian Kennedy, Dan Giese, Andrew Brackman, Mark Melancon

Opposition: The Braves’ non-WBC starters.

Big Hits:

Triples by Johnny Damon (1-for-2, BB) and Xavier Nady (1-for-3), a double by Eduardo Nuñez in his only at-bat, and a single by pitcher Dan Giese (1-for-2), whose last hit was in 2007.

Who Pitched Well:

Andrew Brackman pitched a perfect seventh inning. Mark Melancon pitched around a double in the eighth. Dan Giese gave up a run on two hits and a walk in three innings, but also struck out three.

Who Didn’t:

Ian Kennedy gave up two runs on three doubles and a walk in his three innings, failed to strike anyone out, and said after the game that he didn’t have command of his curveball, which is the pitch he had made so much progress on in Puerto Rico this winter.

Battles:

Xavier Nady‘s triple was just his second hit of the spring, though both have gone for extra bases. He has yet to draw a walk. Brett Gardner went 0-for-2, but drew a walk. Angel Berroa went 1-for-3 and was caught stealing. Dan Giese‘s outing was among the better performances by the aspiring long-relievers. He’s now pitched thrice, while Alfredo Aceves has only pitched once, and poorly at that. Mark Melancon has yet to allow an earned run in three spring innings.

More:

Pete Abe had a couple of posts from earlier this week that are worth checking out if you missed them. First this on Phil Hughes. Then this random thoughts post full of behind-the-scenes observations.