Yankees' Pineda Moves Closer To Securing Starting Spot
VIERA, Fla. (AP) — Michael Pineda moved a step closer to securing a spot in the Yankees' rotation with 3 2-3 solid innings but Chien-Ming Wang had a setback in his pursuit of a starting job with the Nationals when he strained his left hamstring in New York's 8-5 win over Washington on Thursday.
Wang left the game in the third inning after he collided with Russell Martin. Wang fielded Martin's grounder, stumbled toward first base and was bumped by the Yankees' catcher. The right-hander's status was not immediately known. He was considered the leading candidate for Washington's fifth starter spot.
Pineda pitched 3 2-3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits with one walk. He struck out four.
Bill Hall had a two-run double for New York, which scored six runs — four earned — off John Lannan.
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