USADaily - The first sign of just how much of a leash the Yankees will
giveC. C. Sabathia — hint: it may be as short as Manager Joe Girardi’s closely
cropped hair — arrived on Saturday in the fifth inning of his first start of
the season.
That was when, with a six-run lead, a thin bullpen and their
hitters pummeling Tigers pitching, the phone rang in the Yankees’ bullpen and
Kirby Yates began to warm up.
Perhaps the activity inspired Sabathia, who settled down to
make it into the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 8-4 victory, but it also
underscored the level of confidence the Yankees have in their former ace, whose
place in the rotation was not ensured until several days before the season.
The previous coldest game-time temperature at Comerica was
36 degrees on April 23, 2015.
New York’s Starlin Castro had two hits, including the
1,000th of his career.
 |
Detroit Tigers’ Mike Pelfrey pitches
against the New York Yankees ,
Saturday, April 9, 2016, in Detroit.
(Duane Burleson/Associated Press) |
FAMILY TIES
Sabathia said it means a lot to be back, especially with his
mom and wife at the game.
“They had it easy,” he said. “They were in a heated suite
while I was out there in that. The guys in here and the organization have been
great, but my wife and my mom have been my rocks.”
EJECTED
Detroit manager Brad Ausmus was ejected in the top of the
fifth for arguing balls and strikes. He said his issues with plate umpire Paul
Emmel began the previous inning, when J.D. Martinez was called out on strikes
in a big spot.
“I thought that was ball four and I was a little irritated.
Paul is doing his best. He’s not trying to miss any calls, and quite honestly I
couldn’t tell if he did miss the call that I am upset about,” Ausmus said. “It
was warmer in here, but I’d rather have been out there.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: Chase Headley was given a day off, with 3B Ronald
Torreyes replacing him in the starting lineup. Torreyes had three hits.
Tigers: OF Cameron Maybin (left wrist) went 1 for 4 with a
double as a DH for Class-A Lakeland on Friday night as part of his rehab
assignment.
