Eldred’s huge frame sticks out in field against Yankees
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) – One thing is certain about New York Yankees import Kei Igawa: He never saw outfielders as big as Brad Eldred in Japan. Igawa felt more comfortable in his second exhibition outing Saturday – except for the homer and double he gave up to Ronny Paulino during New York’s 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Even though the Yankees had only one hit after the first inning until Eric Duncan’s decisive two-run homer in the ninth, it was the sight of the 275-pound Eldred playing the outfield that caused the biggest stir at a sold-out McKechnie Field.
Eldred, normally a first baseman, has played the outfield only once in his professional career but is getting a trial there as a way to get more at-bats. Eldred, who hit 12 homers in 190 at-bats following a late-season call-up in 2005, was 3-for-4 with two doubles Saturday and is hitting .524 this spring.
Eldred had no trouble with the only fly ball hit his way, making an over-the-head catch of Angel Chavez’s drive to deep right in the fifth.
“It was actually probably the easiest play I could have because I just had to go get it as opposed to sitting there and watching and waiting for it,” Eldred said. “It felt good to catch that first one and get it out of the way.”
If Eldred makes the move during the season, he will be one of the largest outfielders in major league history. Until now, Adam Dunn has been the only outfielder with a listed playing weight of 275.
Eldred began shagging fly balls on Thursday, then found himself playing the outfield only two days later.
“I feel real comfortable – it’s just a matter of getting the reps during the game,” said Eldred, an outfielder for most of his college career at Florida International. “I’ve played there in the past, so they probably took that into account. It’s spring training, so this is the best time to go out and do it.”
Pirates manager Jim Tracy didn’t want to wait any longer to learn if Eldred could play another position.
“He looked great for the first time out there,” Tracy said. “He handled himself extremely well.”
Igawa, a key to the Yankees improving what was a substandard rotation last season, had slightly better results than he did in allowing two runs, two hits and walking three Monday against the Detroit Tigers. This time, he struck out four and walked none but gave up five hits in three innings.
“After his last outing, he wanted to show command of his pitches,” manager Joe Torre said.
Igawa thought he did that, but would have preferred to have better results.
“I wanted to keep my arm strong and work on my changeup,” he said through a translator. “Compared to the last time, I was able to throw strikes.”
With the Yankees ahead 3-0 after scoring three times in the first against Paul Maholm, pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit started the Pirates’ third with a single. A batter after Chris Duffy put down a sacrifice bunt, Paulino homered over the left-field wall.
Paulino barely missed a home run in the first, hitting a double that struck the base of the left-field wall.
“Right before the home run, I threw a (bad) changeup to the batter before that,” Igawa said. “That’s two mistakes in a row and that’s one thing I have to change.”
Duncan’s homer came after Salomon Torres began the ninth by hitting Jose Tabata with a pitch. Torres, replacing the traded Mike Gonzalez as the Pirates’ closer, has allowed six runs in four innings.
NOTES: Igawa took time to seek out Pirates pitcher Masumi Kuwata, the longtime Japanese star who is taking a shot at the majors at age 38. They opposed each other in Japan, but had not spoken previously at length. … Igawa threw 15 pitches in the bullpen after he left the game. … Paulino is hitting .375.