A-Rod doubles and scores

Alex Rodriguez is in the lineup today, his first game against the Rays this season.

The reigning AL MVP makes his presence felt in the second when he leads off with a drive that sails over the head of B.J. Upton in center field. It’s the third double of the spring for A-Rod. He has nine hits – three home runs and three doubles.

A single to right by Matsui puts runners on the corners.

Jorge Posada puts the Yankees on the board with a sacrifice fly to third.

Rays 2, Yankees 1

Listen to the cheers. Here comes Shelley Duncan, and he receives kind of a standing ovation from the Yankee fans.

Now it’s interesting. Niemann’s first pitch is … right down the middle. Strike one.

His second pitch? Check swing, strike two.

The third pitch? Duncan grounds sharply to third and the ball eats up Willy Aybar, bouncing off his glove or perhaps an ankle and over to short.

Any chance of Duncan trying to stretch this error into two bases is stopped by Matsui, who holds at second.

No Aki-Shelley confrontation yet.

The error hurts, because Wilson Betemit singles to right to load the bases with one out.

Greg Porter, who wears No 96 and is playing right field, steps in.

Didtler tells me he’s a former wide receiver Texas A&M. Porter, not Didtler. So why is he wearing a defensive end’s number?

Niemann shows some poise and gets out of the jam, getting Porter to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play.

Bartlett and Aki appear very comfortable playing together.

Bartlett made a nice flip to Aki, who made a nice pivot.

The play takes Aybar off the hook.