Adam Warren put in another solid start and the Yankees scored six runs in the first inning alone Friday as they beat the Tigers, 11-2, in a quickly-decided matinee in Lakeland.
Warren Makes Strong Case for Starting Job: Warren surrendered just one earned run over five strong innings -- giving up a measly four hits while striking out three. He didn't walk anyone on the afternoon, and -- considering Esmil Rogers' rough outing Thursday -- is probably the favorite now for the Yankees' last rotation spot.
Early Offense: The Yankees crossed home six times on six hits in their half of the first -- circling the bases initially when Brendan Ryan doubled home Brett Gardner in his first spring at-bat. The Yankees then plated five more on a Brian McCann single, a Jose Pirela two-run double and a Rob Refsnyder two-run home run to put Tigers' right-hander Daniel Simon in an early hole -- one he would unsurprisingly never escape due largely to the performance of Warren.
A-Rod Goes Deep: Facing Tigers' reliever Bruce Rondon with the Yankees still up 6-0 in the fifth, Alex Rodriguez drilled a solo shot to right-center field -- his second four-bagger in the last seven games. It was a hard line-drive that cleared the wall by a few feet, reportedly causing the fans in attendance to erupt in a mix of cheers and boos.
Whitley's Dominant Outing: Chase Whitley is currently competing for a role in the Yankees' bullpen -- certainly giving the club plenty to think about with a nice three innings in this one. Indeed, Whitley allowed no runs on three hits while working the seventh, eighth and ninth frames -- walking and striking out none as he recorded a long save.
Good Thing He's Not in Boston Anymore: Former Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes supplied the Tigers with their only run off Warren with a solo blast in the bottom of the fifth -- a well-struck fly ball to right Cespedes was able to keep fair. It was one of two hits for him in the contest -- the other being a routine single in the second.
Next Up: The Yankees will head back to Tampa Saturday when they host the Astros at 1:05 p.m. ET -- a matchup airing only on Houston's KBME radio. Michael Pineda is slated to start for the Yankees against the Astros' Dallas Keuchel -- with Pineda expected to pitch around four innings after throwing three last weekend.