Phillies' rookie shuts down the Yankees

CLEARWATER, Fla. "(Happ) continues to show us a lot of good, believe me," Philadelphia pitching coach Rich Dubee said.

Just hours after right-hander Kyle Kendrick was optioned to the minor league camp, Happ gave up five hits and three walks. He struck out three and allowed an unearned run.

The 26-year-old left-hander is now competing for the final spot with free-agent signee Chan Ho Park, who is scheduled to pitch Tuesday, and top prospect Carlos Carrasco.

"Obviously it's on my mind all the time - I'm trying to make this team," said Happ, who could also wind up in the bullpen."

When asked if his chances to make the team improved with Kendrick's demotion, he said, "It's one less body, but other than that I really don't have a comment."

Happ has a 3.15 ERA in six Grapefruit League games.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang took a circuitous trip to the ballpark Monday. Originally slated to start in a minor league game in Tampa, he was rerouted to Dunedin for a game against Blue Jays minor leaguers after the first game was rained out. When the game in Dunedin was also canceled, Wang and catcher Jorge Posada were taken by bench coach Tony Pena to Clearwater, their third ballpark of the morning.

"He drives real fast," Wang said of Pena.

New York manager Joe Girardi said: "They said they saw a lot of Pinellas County."

Wang gave up three runs on five hits in five innings, lowering his Grapefruit League ERA to 3.24.

Wang was scheduled to start in the minor league game so he wouldn't have to bat against the NL club - he sustained a season-ending foot injury running the bases last June against the Astros.

Girardi instructed Wang not to swing against the Phillies, and he struck out in the second inning after getting ahead 3-1 in the count.

"We made it pretty clear today," Girardi said.

Eric Bruntlett went 3-for-4 and Raul Ibanez 3-for-3 for the Phillies. Miguel Cairo and Matt Stairs, who are competing for bench jobs, hit homers.

Notes: Jamie Moyer gave up three runs on eight hits in 5 2-3 innings during a minor league game with the Pirates. Moyer threw 100 pitches in the outing ... New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter told manager Joe Girardi he wants to play in Tuesday night's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox at Steinbrenner Field. Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins and center fielder Shane Victorino are also expected back with their team following the United States' loss in the World Baseball Classis semifinals ... Prospects Lou Marson and Jason Donald were also sent to minor league camp. They'll join pitchers Dave Borkowski, Jake Woods and infielder Brad Harman in reporting to minor league camp Tuesday.


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