Yanks fall to Astros 9-5

The Yankees fell to the Houston Astros 9-5 Friday afternoon in Tampa.

I wasn't around to watch most of the game, so I'll dive right into the notable performances:

• Andy Pettitte gave up two earned runs through 2 2-3 innings. He gave up three hits, struck out two and allowed a home run to Victor Diaz in the second inning.
• Mariano Rivera made his spring debut. In one inning, he struck out two and threw eight pitches. Michael Kay said he was in "midseason form." Hold your horses.
• LaTroy Hawkins surrendered two unearned runs on two hits in one inning.
• Jose Veras, who has a chance to make the team, gave up two runs in the ninth inning.
• Shelley Duncan went 0-3, lowering his spring batting average to .500.
• Alex Rodriguez doubled as the designated hitter.
• Wilson Betemit hit a solo home run and Brett Gardner was 2-2 with a double and a triple.
  

Sound the alarms: the Yankees have lost three-straight.

The Yankees will face the Tampa Bay Rays at Legends Field tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. The game can be seen on YES and heard on WCBS-AM 880. Mike Mussina will start for New York, while Matt Garza will start for Tampa Bay.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)