TAMPA — Without being specific, manager Joe Girardi said he liked enough of what he saw out of Derek Jeter hitting first and Johnny Damon second to start the season that way.
“As of right now, that’s our thought,” Girardi said of the flipping of the top two spots from a year ago. “I have liked what I have seen.”
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After yesterday’s 8-5 win over the Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Jeter (0-for-2) is batting .278 (5-for-18) with six runs scored in six games batting leadoff and Damon is at .250 (4-for-16) with a run scored hitting second.
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In his final outing before opening the season Monday in Baltimore, CC Sabathia allowed two runs, six hits, one walk and fanned five in 3″ innings yesterday. Sabathia was cut back to 70 pitches in the tune-up and took a smash off his glove in the second that didn’t hit anything but leather.
“I will be ready. I am ready to get the season started,” the Yankees’ ace said.
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Principal owner George Steinbrenner, who is expected to attend the first home game at the new Yankee Stadium on April 16, was on hand yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field for the spring finale.
Girardi said he spoke to managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner “four or five days ago.” Questioned if ownership brought up expectations, Girardi said, “I think we all know what that is.”
Girardi said he expects more scrutiny regarding on his job status after not making the playoffs in his first year.
“You understand when you take this job that you are under the microscope all the time,” Girardi said. “If you don’t produce your job is on the line. There is no getting around it. This is not a job where you get three years to see what happens. Because we didn’t make the playoffs last year I am not surprised I will be scrutinized more. Will it happen? I don’t know, but I expect it to.”
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Hideki Matsui, who was bothered by a stiff neck Monday, was in the lineup and finished the Florida part of spring training with a .233 average (10-for-43) after going 2-for-3 with a homer and RBI yesterday.
“I guess his neck is all right,” Girardi said.
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Mark Teixeira‘s strong end to spring training continued with a 3-for-3, three- RBI game that included his third homer of the spring.
In Teixeira’s last five games the switch-hitting first baseman batted .615 (8-for-13) with two homers and seven RBIs. He is hitting .444 (24-for-54) with three homers and 11 RBIs overall.
“I don’t know if I did anything different,” he said. “I do know that I worked with [hitting instructor] Kevin [Long] and made sure the things I needed to work on. I took care of those things.”
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Because Ramiro Pena is better defensively than Angel Berroa, the latter is the choice of several pitchers to be the utility infielder until Alex Rodriguez returns in mid-May.
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Xavier Nady was in the original lineup against the Phillies, but the starting right fielder was scratched and replaced by Nick Swisher. Nady was hit in the left elbow Monday.
“I am fine, I could have easily played,” Nady said. “They are being cautious.”
Girardi said trainer Gene Monahan advised it would be good to give Nady the day off.
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Bob Sheppard‘s son, Paul, denied that the long-time Yankees public address announcer has decided to retire, saying a report was “categorically wrong.”
Sheppard will not be in the public address booth for the Yankees’ exhibition games against the Cubs tomorrow and Saturday and their home opener on April 16 against the Indians. The Yankees said no decisions regarding Sheppard’s future have been made beyond Opening Day.
Yankees 8 Phillies 5