~vs. Cleveland Indians~
-Final score: 11-5 Indians
Left-hander Ted Lilly had been perfect this spring (0-0,
0.00 ERA in eight innings) -- until Wednesday. In a split-squad game in
Winter Haven,
Lilly's throwing error on Russell Branyan's excuse-me
swing gave life to a dying inning. Back-to-back doubles put the Indians
ahead 3-0.
It was Lilly's first start of the spring, and
one of the three runs was earned. In the fourth, Lilly gave up a homer. He
went 3 2/3 innings, striking out five, walking none and giving up five runs.
"Lilly's a decent fielder," said third-base coach Willie Randolph,
who managed the Yankees squad. "But sometimes you get caught in the
heat of the game, and you don't think about the situation and you make a
play that obviously hurts you."
