This is the third straight year where the second Spring Training start has been one to forget for CC Sabathia. The latest cause for amnesia came today, lasting just 2 2/3 innings against the Nationals at “The Boss." In said forgettable start, he allowed five runs on six hits; he walked two, and struck out only one.
Sabathia explained why afterwards in the clubhouse saying, “I couldn’t get a count to get a strikeout pitch. I couldn’t find the plate. I was all over the place. My change up was flat and cutting back over the plate, it was just one of those days.”
You would think lucky for him it’s just March 5th. He left the game and still got a decent ovation; more than a golf clap. Through the grapevine though -- the grapevine being Twitter -- I saw that fans were moaning and groaning in the stands about the Yankees' number one starter struggling.
In case you’re wondering if it bothers Sabathia, it does. He said, “Of course it does. To go out and give up five runs in 2 2/3 innings, but what can I do? I’ll just keep working and be ready to go on the 31st.” Yes, opening day is still 25 days away. There's plenty of time for Sabathia to work out the kinks that he experienced today. He went onto say, “I’m not going to lose any sleep though. Maybe a couple years ago I would have taken it home with me, but I just called my wife and she started laughing.” Laughter erupted amongst the beat writers with that line. Sabathia continued, “She said last year it was Pittsburgh, this year it’s Washington.” CC kept working us with this one, “You should have come over to the Minor League complex and saw what I did last year. It was much worse than today.”
Did CC Sabathia have a very forgettable day today? Absolutely, but there is no doubt in my mind we are in for another season to remember from the big lefty.
