Times wires
Thursday, March 10, 2011
CLEARWATER — Phillies ace Roy Halladay struck out the Yankees' Jorge Posada with two on and two outs in the sixth inning, putting a clean finish on his stellar start in a 7-0 victory Thursday.
The NL Cy Young winner shut out the Yankees on four hits while striking out two and walking none.
"You try to get as close to a real situation as you can, so after a few quick innings there, it's kind of nice to try to work out and make pitches when you have to," Halladay said.
Manuel staying: Manager Charlie Manuel, 67, agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2013. Details weren't made public, but he will reportedly be paid between $7 million and $8 million total for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Timely shot: 1B John Mayberry Jr., who is competing for a spot on the 25-man roster, capped a four-run sixth inning with a two-run homer, his third of the spring.
Yanks: CC throws
CLEARWATER — Yankees starter CC Sabathia held up his half of the premiere pitching matchup against Halladay. He limited the Phillies to three hits in five shutout innings. "That's pretty much the CC we're used to seeing," manager Joe Girardi said.
Sabathia walked none and struck out two: "I felt pretty good, a lot better than the other day. It was a lot cleaner, and I was actually able to work on some things."
Short hops: Closer Mariano Rivera felt fine one day after throwing 35 pitches in his first batting practice session and didn't rule out making his initial game appearance Sunday. … Posada started at first. "Our plans are for him to DH," Girardi said. "It just gives us more options."
Jays: Litsch's effort
FORT MYERS — Toronto RHP Jesse Litsch, a Pinellas Park native, continued his bid for a rotation spot in a 7-4 victory over the Twins. He struck out one, walked two and gave up two runs off three hits in 3 2/3 innings.
"He was maybe wild in the zone," manager John Farrell said. "… He continues to maintain his stuff."