TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -The New York Yankees’ trio of touted young pitchers opened 2008 with shutout ball.
Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes combined for five scoreless innings to lead the New York Yankees past South Florida 11-4 on Friday.
The three, all 23 years old or younger, could wind up together in the Yankees’ rotation at some point.
“They’re on a journey. Their careers are under way,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “It will be fun to watch them tested every five days and see their growth spurt.”
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner watched new manager Joe Girardi’s spring training debut from his suite along with son Hank.
Chamberlain, who will likely start the season in the bullpen before joining the rotation, struck out two. He threw 15 of 22 pitches for strikes.
“It’s a good start for all of us,” said Chamberlain, who was Mariano Rivera’s setup man for the final two months of last season. “I don’t care what you say, you still a little nervous no matter who you’re playing. It think it was good to get the nerves out of the way. I felt good. My body felt great. It went well.”
With the Yankees in pinstripes instead of the batting practice jerseys they usually wear during spring training, Kennedy struck out two and allowed one hit over two scoreless innings. The right-hander feels there is a bond among the three pitchers, who all spend time with the Yankees’ last season.
“Hopefully we’ll stay together for a long time,” Kennedy said. “We’re good friends.”
Hughes struck a pair in a perfect inning.
“They all have a great attitude and demeanor,” Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. “They work hard. They don’t seem intimidated by too much. They’re all good, obviously, but I think their attitude is what’s going to get them through rough times.”
Alex Rodriguez had three RBIs for the Yankees, hitting a sacrifice fly in the first and a two-run single during a four-run second.
Kei Igawa picked up where he left off last season, allowing a sixth-inning grand slam to South Florida’s Eric Baumann. It was just the third at-bat for Baumann following a two-year layoff caused by shoulder surgery.
“I plan on telling it until I’m 80 years … hopefully I make it that long,” Baumann said.
Igawa allowed four runs, one hit, two walks and hit a batter in one inning.
“I’m not too worried at this point, it is the first game,” Igawa said through an interpreter. “At the same time I realize what I need to work on. I’d like to get more control when throwing hard.”
Notes: Jeter was hit on the left forearm by a Shawn Sanford pitch in the first. … RHP Mariano Rivera threw 29 pitches off a bullpen mound.
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