Castro Hits First Yankee Homer In 2-1 Win Over Jays

The New York Yankees’ acquisition of Starlin Castro this offseason seemed like a no brainer. A terrific infielder who is a leader both on and off the field who could bring youth and power to a veteran lineup.

On Wednesday night the Yankees returned home to George M. Steinbrenner Field to take on the division rival Toronto Blue Jays in this latest Spring Training matchup.

Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi took the mound in his second start this spring, working a solid hit less two innings, striking out two. From there on the Yankees pitching staff took one inning intervals. Closer Aroldis Chapman took the fourth inning striking out two and Diego Moreno and James Pazos all had solid one inning outings as well.

As for the Jays, they sent Drew Hutchison to the mound as he continues to stretch out in anticipation of the regular season. In the bottom of the second with two outs, Hutchison allowed his first hit of the game to third baseman Chase Headley hit a single on a line drive to center. Starlin Castro then stepped up to the plate and hit a two run homer, his first as a Yankees,on a fly ball to right field putting the Yankees up 2-0.

Castro is now hitting .429 this spring and is leading the Yankees with nine hits and seven RBIs.

Hutchison allowed two runs on four hits in four and two-thirds; striking out three.

In the top of the eighth, with Richard Bleier on the mound for the Yankees, the Jays would get their only run of the game on a RBI double by Roemon Fields which sent Andy Burns home to score.

Eovaldi earned his first win of spring (1-0) as Hutchison was charged with the loss (1-1).

Up Next:

The Toronto Blue Jays will have a split squad schedule on Thursday with half traveling to take on the Houston Astros with veteran Brad Penny taking the mound for the Blue Jays against the Astros’ Mike Fiers.

The New York Yankees will travel to McKechnie Field on Thursday afternoon to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yankees’ Ace RHP  Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound against the Pirates’ LHP Jeff Locke.