Again, nothing but good news as the Yanks beat the Twins, 4-2.

Lineup:

L – Brett Gardner (CF)
R – Robinson Cano (2B)
S – Mark Teixeira (1B)
L – Hideki Matsui (DH)
R – Jose Molina (C)
R – Shelley Duncan (RF)
R – Austin Jackson (LF)
S – Eduardo Nuñez (SS)
S – Ramiro Peña (3B)

Subs: Juan Miranda (1B), Doug Bernier (2B), Justin Leone (3B), Frank Cervelli (C), Todd Linden (RF), Seth Fortenberry (LF), P.J. Pilittere (DH)

Pitchers: Phil Hughes, Jason Johnson, Anthony Claggett, David Robertson, Kei Igawa

Big Hits:

Solo homers by Mark Teixeira (1-and-3), Austin Jackson (1-for-4), and Todd Linden (1-for-2), and a double by Shelley Duncan (1-for3). Teixeira’s name hasn’t popped up much in my recaps, and this was his first home run of the spring, but he’s hitting .414/.455/.621 on the spring. This is what I expect from Teixeira, not that batting line, but that sort of quiet, almost stealthy excellence.

Who Pitched Well:

Phil Hughes didn’t strike anyone out in his 4 1/3 innings, but he also only allowed one run on three hits and a walk and got 10 of his 13 outs on the ground, which is an especially good sign, as Hughes major league struggles have often been accompanied by a spike in his flyball rate. David Robertson struck out three of the five batters he faced, the other two walked and flew out. Anthony Claggett pitched around a walk for a scoreless seventh inning.

Who Didn’t:

Jason Johnson allowed a run on two doubles, a single and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.

Battles:

Brett Gardner went 1-for-3 with a stolen base. David Robertson helped his cause yet again. Kei Igawa loaded the bases in the ninth before stranding all three runners to end the game.

Ouchies:

Robinson Cano (shoulder) played the first five innings at second base and went 1-for-3. He said he felt fine. Catching Andy Pettitte in a minor league game, Jorge Posada (shoulder) made three throws to second base. All three runners were safe, but two of the throws beat the runner, and the third attempting thief stole the bag off Pettitte (at least according to Pete Abe‘s account). The third throw, chronolocially speaking, was the best, which was a good sign. Posada had made just one throw in his three prior games behind the plate, that one going to third base, but again failing to catch the runner. MLB.com’s Brian Hoch has a full story on Posada’s day and the state of his throwing arm.