New York Yankees: 4 important takeaways from Tuesday’s loss against the Tigers

The New York Yankees were topped by the Detroit Tigers 6×5 in the spring training’s Grapefruit League on Tuesday afternoon. It was the fourth Bombers’ loss in the spring, and it came despite a couple of power displays by Gary Sanchez and Jay Bruce.

In fact, the Bombers got to the bottom of the eighth inning winning 5×3, but a late rally by Detroit against Yankees’ hurler Luis Garcia turned the tables in favor of the Tigers.

Here are four takeaways from the Bombers’ triumph:

Jay Bruce and Gary Sanchez continue their power parade

Lefty-hitting outfielder Jay Bruce is determined to win a roster spot with the New York Yankees, and if Tuesday’s game is any indication, he is well on his way. He is limited with the glove at this point of his career, but boy, he has power.

In the top of the second inning, Bruce sent a ball to the bleachers, a rocket to left-center field that drove in Gleyber Torres and gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

It was the second home run of the spring for the hulking outfielder, who is now batting .455 in the spring training.

Catcher Gary Sanchez, who disappointed last season with a .147 average, a 68 wRC+ and a 36% strikeout rate, also joined the power party and belted his third long ball of the spring.

Gary made some mechanical adjustments during the offseason and reported in top shape, and his hard work seems to be paying off.

Deivi dazzled, and the Yankees are happy

After allowing a couple of home runs last week on his first spring appearance against the Phillies, Deivi Garcia was much better on Tuesday.

The Yankees’ youngster hurled three scoreless innings against the Tigers, allowing a couple of base hits and striking out five Tigers: three were caught looking at strike three, and three went down swinging through his power stuff.

The most important takeaway for Garcia was that he didn’t hand any bases on balls, which will be huge as he tries to secure a place in the rotation or at least be part of the Yankees’ pitching plans to start the 2021 campaign.

Clint Frazier with the injury scare

While trying to make a play in the outfield, Clint Frazier gave Yankees’ fans quite the scare, as he slammed into the wall and was in pain for a few moments.

He was going after what ended up being a home run by Tigers’ shortstop Willi Castro.

Flashbacks of the concussion Frazier sustained a few years ago surely appeared on fans’ minds, but the outfielder stayed in the game to take an at-bat and be replaced after that. He seems to be OK.

The Yankees’ bullpen falters

Garcia was lights out for the Yankees, but Luis Garcia and Luis Cessa, who is expected to be a piece in the big league bullpen once Opening Day rolls, allowed three runs apiece.

Nick Nelson, Nestor Cortes, and Tyler Lyons were immaculate in their outings, though.

Cessa’s spring training ERA is now 15.00.