Yankees Collect 21 Hits In 10-8 Win Over The Astros
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Alex Rodriguez is showing something extra this spring.
Rodriguez hit his first home run of the exhibition season and the New York Yankees outslugged the Houston Astros 10-8 on a windy Sunday.
With girlfriend Cameron Diaz cheering from a front-row seat near the Yankees dugout, Rodriguez kept his extra-base hit streak going — he's gotten at least one in all five games he's played. This time, he hit a two-run drive over the center field wall off Jeff Fulchino in the fifth inning.
"Throw stats out the window at spring training, but overall I feel pretty good," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said he has resumed his old training regimen in camp.
"''I feel stronger and more flexible. I'm getting my work in," he said. "Just going back to my regular routine that I've used for 15 years, it feels good. It was nice to go back to work."
Greg Golson also homered for the Yankees on a day when a strong wind blew straight out at Osceola County Stadium. Jason Michaels and Carlos Lee homered for the Astros, connecting off starter Phil Hughes.
Russell Martin had his first two hits of the spring for the Yankees, who collected 21 overall. Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Andruw Jones and Justin Maxwell also had two each at a stage of the spring when pitchers are supposed to be ahead of hitters.
"Not on a day like today," Yankees manager Joe Girardi observed.
Matt Downs had a double and a triple for the Astros, who had 17 hits.
"Offensively, you're just trying to get a pitch to get up in the air. You never know what might happen," said Astros center fielder Jason Bourgeois, who hit a triple. "But on the other side, it's tough on these pitchers. They've got to keep the ball down because you know even a little bit can cost you big."
Houston starter Brett Myers gave up two runs on five hits in three innings, but managed to keep the ball in the ballpark.
"The wind was blowing? I didn't even know the wind was blowing," said Myers, who concentrated on throwing his curveball for the first time. "Was it sunny out?"
David Phelps got the win for the Yankees, who used three singles and an error to push across two run in the ninth inning.
NOTES: Mariano Rivera threw 32 pitches in a batting practice session in Tampa. The Yankees closer will throw live batting practice again before pitching in a game. ... Rafael Soriano, who also has yet to appear in a game for the Yankees, threw live batting practice. ...Astros reliever Wilton Lopez ran a fever and was sent home . . . Yankees OF Colin Curtis left the ballpark with his right shoulder in a sling, an injury sustained while making a diving catch in the fifth inning.
