Yankees win despite lack of offense

There were three combined runs and nine combined hits in Friday night's spring training game between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. Luckily for those who care about spring training records, the Yankees were able to squeak out a 2-1 victory.

Because the Yankees don't want their starters starting against divisional opponents so close to the start of the regular season, the Yankees opted to start Darrell Rasner in place of Chien-Ming Wang, the newly-named Opening Day starter.

Rasner was solid, allowing only two hits and a walk in four scoreless innings. He struck out four batters and threw 68 pitches for 49 strikes.

Wang pitched against Class-A minor leaguers this afternoon. He gave up six hits and five runs (four earned) over 5 2-3 innings, striking out three and walking one.

Mariano Rivera gave up an infield hit in his one inning of work. Edwar Ramirez, Brian Bruney and Ross Ohlendorf pitched one hitless inning each. Jose Veras gave up one hit, one earned run and one walk in his inning.

The Yankees scored their two runs in the eighth inning, on RBIs from Greg Porter and Bernie Castro. Bobby Abreu had a double and drew two walks. Melky Cabrera singled and drew two walks as well.

The Yankees will face the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:15 p.m. later this afternoon. Kei Igawa will start for New York, facing John Parrish. The game can be seen on YES and heard on WCBS-AM 880. Andy Pettitte is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)