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The only things missing were a crowd, fielders and commercial breaks.

About three hours before first pitch, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte faced off in a simulated game.

The game was three "innings" as Rodriguez continued his rehab from a left calf injury and Pettitte continued his from the groin injury.

Both players reported no problems but will wait and see what the next step is.

“It was a good workout,” Rodriguez said. “It felt good.  I did a lot out there today.

Rodriguez faced Pettitte five times. He faced him in the final two “innings” and lined a single up the middle.   

Besides enjoying the quiet atmosphere and Reggie Jackson’s strike zone, Rodriguez also fielded numerous ground balls at various depths at third base and then took some bunts.

"It was a fun day," Rodriguez said. "We got a chance to do everything when nobody was around.  I had an absolute blast."

Rodriguez could be activated tomorrow and though that appears a good possibility, he will wait to see how he feels in the morning.

As for Pettitte, he threw 50 pitches to Rodriguez, Greg Golson and Ramiro Pena. He described the first two "innings" as being a little tentative but definitely was encouraged.

"The first couple of innings, I felt like I was struggling with my mechanics a little bit," Pettitte said. "My curveballs were just kind of hanging. I wasn’t exactly going full speed so my timing was off a little bit.  I just started playing with my timing a little bit in the first couple of innings and then I told Dave (pitching coach Dave Eiland), let’s just forget about that and just throw the ball."

Besides throwing, Pettitte also took some pitcher’s fielding practice and anticipates throwing a bullpen session Monday.

After that the next step could be a simulated game or a minor league rehab start. The Yankees were looking at minor league schedules and possibly targeting Wednesday.

For Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre Wednesday would be the opener of the International League playoffs.  For Double-A Trenton Wednesday could also be the opener of the Eastern League playoffs. For Single-A Tampa Wednesday would be Game Two of the Florida State League playoffs against Dunedin.

One thing that is certain is the next time will be increased to 65 pitches.  

Nick Swisher was originally in the lineup but his left knee bothered him and he was replaced by Marcus Thames.

When he discussed it, he sounded as frustrated as some of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1923 or Cleveland Indians in 1993.

On those days, Yankee pitchers Sam Jones and Jim Abbott fired no-hitters.

In Jones’ no-hitter at Shibe Park, he walked one and struck out one while facing two above the minimum.  He faced a lineup that featured Jimmy Dykes, Joe Hauser and Bing Miller.

Abbott’s no-hitter was the biggest highlight of his two years in the Bronx.  That day, he struck out three and walked five Indians, a team that boasted a lineup of a young Manny Ramirez at designated hitter and Jim Thome at third base.