Notes from GMS

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
TAMPA – The New York Yankees threw a close facsimile of their opening day roster at Pirates starter Zach Duke on Sunday.
With the exception of Alex Rodrigiuez and Mark Teixeira, the Yankees stars started during their 9-8 win over Duke and the Pirates.
“They battled every at-bat. There’s never a letdown,” said Duke, who allowed eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. “It seems like the ball always bounces their way for one reason or another.”
So deep is the Yankee lineup that Xavier Nady, who hit 25 home runs and drove in 97 with the Pirates and Yankees last year, batted seventh Sunday. And that’s without Rodriguez and Teixeira.
It was the first rough outing of the spring for Duke, who allowed three runs total in his previous five starts.
“The main thing is I get my work in, nothing’s hurt,” he said, “and you just kind of wipe this one out of the memory.”
PHILLIPS RETURNS: Andy Phillips played two innings Saturday in his first game since March 7. He had been sidelined bulging discs in his back.
Phillips, who played first base, hoped to make the roster as a backup infielder. Because of the injury, however, Phillips’ chances of making the club by Opening Day are slim.
“It’s going to be awfully tough,” said general manager Neal Huntington.
LOCKING IN: Ryan Doumit went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double, and is batting .434 in his last eight games.
It was Doumit’s third home run of the spring.
STREAKING: Nate McLouth went 1-for-3 and has reached base in 16 straight games. He is batting .326 in the spring.
ALMOST OVER: The Pirate have six games remaining in the spring and four at McKechnie Field – including the annual charity game with Manatee Community College on Thursday.