Game Day - Yankees vs. Tigers

The Bombers travel to Lakeland to take on the Tigers. It's round two in the Joba Chamberlain vs. Phil Hughes competition, Girardi noted that it is the last "tune-up" before he really begins to make judgements and evaluations on the two pitchers. It's upwards of 75 degrees in Tampa and the sun is shining, unfortunately this game will not be shown on television.

Yankees
Granderson - CF
Johnson - DH
Teixeira - 1B
Cano - 2B
Thames - RF
Gardner - LF
Mike Rivera - C
Jorge Vazquez - 3B
Pena - SS

RHP Joba Chamberlain

Tigers
Austin Jackson - CF
Ryan Raburn - RF
Ryan Strieby - 1B
Cabrera - 3B
Guillen - LF
Laird - C
Jeff Larish - 3B
Scott Sizemore - 2B
Everett - SS

RHP Armando Galarraga

Things to Watch: Chamberlain and Hughes are scheduled to throw 50 pitches, or go around three innings, each. Andrew Brackman is scheduled to throw out of the pen, he's been looking good so far this spring. Johnny Damon was scratched from the Tigers' lineup due to turf toe, spoiling the on-field reunion. Granderson is in the lead-off spot and manning center and Gardner is in left. It's looking more and more like Granderson will be the Yankees center fielder on opening day. It was previously reported that Mariano Rivera would make his Grapefruit League debut on March 17th, but it will actually be on March 16th. Girardi also hinted that March 16th will be the first time he has all his regulars in the lineup, so mark that date on the calendar. Former Yankees prospect Austin Jackson is batting lead-off and patrolling center for the Tigers, he's expected to keep both of those spots once the regular season begins.

Game Notes: The Yankees topped the Tigers 9-8. Greg Golson's two-run homer off Phil Dumatrait in the top of the ninth inning proved to be the game winner. Chamberlain looked good through two innings, but then imploded in the third, giving up six runs on three singles, two walks and a grand slam. His final line is not pretty, five hits, three walks, six runs, one strikeout in two and 1/3 innings. He did throw a nice change up in the first to strike out Austin Jackson looking, but he really needs to start locating his pitches better. It's still very early, but he needs to harness his command, otherwise he'll never be successful. Hughes looked OK, he went two and 2/3 innings and gave up one run on three hits. The one run he gave up was a solo shot to Ryan Raburn. He also got bailed out by Granderson, who made a great play in center on a well hit ball off the bat of Miguel Cabrera. Both pitchers were obviously working on things, Hughes was throwing a lot of change ups and Chamberlain was trying to come in on hitters hands, so their stat lines aren't the story, still, you would like to see some success. Granderson had a nice day out of the lead off spot, he had two singles, a walk and an RBI. Teixeira had two hits, one a solo home run off of former Yankee Phil Coke. Jason Hirsch continues to show that he's fully healthy and has a great deal of upside, he threw a perfect inning and struck out two. 23-year-old right hander Ryan Pope looked good getting the save, allowing one hit and striking out two in one inning of work.