The erratic nature of spring training broadcasts will never cease to amaze us, but on Monday evening we’re getting the first streaming broadcast of Detroit Tigers action via the YES Network as the Yankees host on MLB.tv. Beau Brieske made his first start, and was throwing hard, sitting 96 mph comfortably, though his command was still in February form. He also finished his outing with a series of curveballs, a pitch he rarely uses, so that was interesting. But we’re just here to show you a couple of taters for now.
Akil Baddoo did his thing from the leadoff position in the first inning. Against Luis Severino, Baddoo lined a single the opposite way, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Javier Báez followed with a single to score him. Severino was looking to settle in, but instead, he watched this cutter get turned to powder by Eric Haase for a quick 3-2 lead for the Tigers.
After the Yankees scored two in the bottom of the first on a walk, two singles, and a sacrifice fly, the Tigers struck back in the third. First, Baddoo reached again out of the leadoff spot, this time on a walk. He then stole second base again. If Akil gets to first base, he’s going to get to second base a lot with these shortened basepaths and the new two step-off rule for pitchers. Anyway, it mattered little because Kerry Carpenter then turned and burned on a high Aaron McGarity changeup. Really good to see Carpenter come out crushing, and more importantly, driving offspeed pitches.
Yeah, it’s spring training. We’re looking for tangible changes in guys’ skills, mechanics, pitches, etc., not so much results. But on an icy night in Michigan, it’s nice to be treated to some dingers. Baseball we’ve missed you.