Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and third baseman Chase Headley combined to lead the New York Yankees in a 7-0 shutout of the Houston Astros Sunday afternoon in Kissimmee.
With one out in the top of the third, Headley took a 3-1 pitch over the right field wall for a solo home run (3). Headley drove in two more runs in the sixth when he singled home Rob Refsnyder and Ramon Flores to give him three RBI on the day and seven for the spring.
Refsnyder doubled home Stephen Drew earlier in the sixth, and the Yankees got one more before the inning ended thanks to a fielding error from Luis Valbuena to allow Jonathan Galvez to score. Refsnyder had earlier scored on a wild pitch in the fourth, which followed a Slade Heathcott RBI single.
Eovaldi (W: 1-1, 0.66 ERA) pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings for the Yankees. He allowed just three hits and struck out five. He figures to work in the back end of the Yankees' starting rotation. Four Yankee relievers combined for only two hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Scott Feldman (L: 0-2, 8.76) started for Houston, allowing three earned runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two and gave up the home run to Headley. Brad Peacock, making his first spring appearance after returning from hip surgery, allowed four runs (three earned) in 2/3 of an inning. Peacock could start the season officially on the disabled list to open a roster spot while he rehabs in the Minor Leagues.
Alex Rodriguez played three innings at first base for the Yankees, the first time he has played the position at any point in his career. He was 1 for 1 with a walk on the day, raising his Spring Training average to .324.
In another note, Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch reports that Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left Sunday's Minor League game with a contusion on his right knee after getting hit by a pitch. Teixeira will treat the bruise with ice, and at this point, there is no plan for further evaluation.
The Yankees have a day off Monday while the Astros host the Toronto Blue Jays at 6:05 p.m. EDT.