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Sunday's Child - Nikolas
Laird, Ankiel Lead Astros Over Yankees Split Squad 3/1/13
Associated Press
3/1/13
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Brandon Laird hit a grand slam and Rick Ankiel hit
his first home run of the spring, leading the Houston Astros to a 7-6 victory
over a split squad of New York Yankees on Thursday.
Laird's grand slam came in the sixth inning off loser Shane Greene.
Ankiel, trying to make the Astros as a 33-year-old outfielder, has six hits
in nine spring at-bats. His homer off Mike O'Brien broke a scoreless tie in the
fifth inning.
Melky Mesa's three-run run homer off Ross Seaton in the top of the sixth had
given the Yankees a 5-1 lead after RBI singles by Zoilo Altmonte and Matt Diaz.
Lucas Harrell pitched the first three innings for Houston in his second
spring start, giving up no runs on three hits, while Sam Demel got the win.
Yankees starter Brett Marshall pitched to the minimum nine batters in his
three innings, striking out three while Francisco Cervelli threw out two runners
attempting to steal.