A-Rod's Tie-Breaking Home Run Lifts Yankees Over Jays

Dunedin, FL - In the first game of the spring, Alex Rodriguez waisted no time in getting back to business and doing what he loves, play baseball. In his first official at-bat in the fourth inning after walking in the first, he drilled a two-run home run off of Jays pitcher Ricky Romero.

The home run also came when it was a 1-1 tie, making it 3-1 in favor of the Yankees, who would go on to win 6-1.

Rodriguez was booed by opposing fans loudly and he replied with a two-run shot to deep center on a 2-2 count. What happened afterwards, was a good sign. After hardly receiving any kind of ovation from the Yankees fans in attendance, Rodriguez was given a standing ovation from the Yankee faithfuls in the crowd.

However, I will note that those cheers can turn to jeers in a hurry if he doesn't produce when it counts, but at least this is a good sign for now.

"This is what I do. I know how to play baseball," Rodriguez said. "I just hope that the start of something really special for this year. I feel really good about our team."

When you're playing, it's hard to focus on standing ovations or boos. You're just trying to go out there and do your job," Rodriguez said. "Again, I didn't see anything that was bad at all."

Rodriguez was greeted by Robinson Cano at home plate with a high five and the Yankee dugout gave him a nice round of applause as well as he headed up the left field line towards the bench.

In the battle for center field, it was won by Brett Gardner today as he homered to open the game off of Jays left-hander Brett Cecil to right field.

Centerfield prospect Austin Jackson went 1-2 with a double and a strikeout.

Brett Tomko started for New York and pitched two shutout innings, allowing just one hit. Jose Veras didn't do as well, loading the bases twice in the third inning. Veras had two strikeouts, walked two, hit one batter, threw a wild pitch and allowed a run-scoring sacrifice fly.

Veras looked a bit shaky and gave up the only run of the day for the Yankees.

Dan Giese turned in one shutout inning and Kei Igawa pitched an inning, facing four batters, giving up one hit and striking out one.

Offseason additions, Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett didn't appear today but should get some work in soon.

Newcomer Nick Swisher played in right. Going 0-1 with a sac-fly RBI, two walks, a strikeout and a run scored.

Up next for the Yankees: Right-hander Phil Hughes will make the start for the Yankees on Thursday as they open their home exhibition at George M. Steinbrenner Field, formally known as Legends Field against the defending American League champion Tampa Bay Rays at 1:15 p.m. ET. Right-hander Wade Davis will get the ball the start for the Rays.

Alex Rodriguez quotes from ESPN.com