DUNEDIN, Fla. — If it wasn’t the worst game in the history of spring training it was close.
Because of a pitching staff that issued 10 walks and three more errors the Yankees were crushed by the Blue Jays, 17-5, yesterday at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
Jose Ramirez, a 23-year-old right-hander who dazzled in three outings before being optioned to Double-A Trenton Monday, recorded one out, gave up six runs, walked four and two hits.
Adam Warren, 25, who is supposed to provide Triple-A insurance, was spanked for eight runs, four hits and walked five.
“He struggled today,” manager Joe Girardi said of Ramirez. “He couldn’t throw his fastball away to lefties and he struggled with his change-up. It happens and you move on.’’
Ramirez has a 96-mph fastball he usually throws at the knees and a tantalizing change-up. He is working on a slider, so he has three pitches when the Yankees reach out for him.
“It was tough to watch,’’ Girardi said. “We walked 10 guys, nine in the first two innings. There weren’t a lot of great things to watch today.’’
PHOTOS: YANKEES SPRING TRAINING
Errors by infielders Jayson Nix, Corban Joseph and Jose Pirela added more sloppiness to the fiasco. In 19 games, the Yankees have made 23 errors. Francisco Cervelli also misplayed a foul pop near home plate.
Always the optimist, Girardi found a few nuggets of sunshine in the storm.
“Youk [Kevin Youkilis] swung the bat pretty well,’’ Girardi said of the right-handed hitter who homered in the first off Josh Johnson and finished 2-for-3. “Travis [Hafner] drove in a run behind in the count against a lefty with a sac fly, which is good.’’
Girardi hasn’t decided where Youkilis will play. He was at first yesterday.
“You have to see how we are constructed at the end of spring training,’’ Girardi said. “He can play both so we will see.I like the way he plays third base.’’
Newly acquired outfielder Ben Francisco went 1-for-3. “He is swinging the bat pretty decent,” Girardi said of the right-handed hitter. “You will probably see a lot of him. He has an opportunity here.’’
* Nix collided with Blue Jays third baseman Mark DeRosa running the bases in the fourth inning, but outside getting the wind knocked out of him, he came through the collision OK.
* First baseman Derrek Lee, who did not play last season, has reportedly turned down the Yankees’ contract offer preferring to remain retired.
* CC Sabathia makes his first start of the exhibition season against the Marlins at Steinbrenner Field.
Boone Logan is scheduled to throw batting practice tomorrow. Logan, who threw a bullpen session yesterday, hasn’t appeared in a game yet because of a cranky left elbow. He had an MRI exam that didn’t reveal structural damage.
Though pitching coach Larry Rothschild said there is enough time for the lefty reliever to be ready for Opening Day, it appears fellow lefty Clay Rapada won’t be.
Rapada, who has worked in two games, is sidelined with shoulder bursitis.