Ivan Nova tosses 6.1 scoreless innings in Yankees' win over Atlanta

By: Gavin Ewbank | Lead Writer

It was the Ivan Nova show at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, as the Yankees right hander was on top of his game, tossing 6.1 scoreless innings Wednesday afternoon in the Bombers' 7-0 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Carlos Beltran had a good day at the plate, picking up a pair of RBIs, as well as Adonis Garcia, who also drove in two runs in the game.

Brett Gardner walked and stole second to begin the ball game, then after a flyout by Derek Jeter, who went 0-for-4, Beltran singled into right field to score Gardner, putting the Yankees up 1-0 three batters into the game.

Beltran's second RBI of the game came later in the 7th inning on another single into right field, scoring Antoan Richardson from third base.

Garcia's two RBIs extended the Yankees' lead from 1-0 to 3-0 in the 4th inning when he ripped a two-out double into left field off of Braves starter David Hale, who gave up three runs in 4.1 innings.

The Yankees plated one run, in the 7th, after the Beltran RBI single, Brian McCann grounded into what should have been a double play, but after getting the out at second, Andrelton Simmons' throw to first base went wide, letting Yangervis Solarte come around to score.

New York scored one more run in the 9th inning when Zelous Wheeler drew a bases loaded walk against Ryne Harper

While the offense was doing it's job to score runs, Nova was doing his part -- from what I could tell, the game was not on TV today.

He set down the Braves in order through the first tow innings, picking up three strikeouts. Atlanta didn't pick up their first hit until a Simmons single to open the 3rd inning.

Nova pitched his way into the 7th inning, retiring the first batter of the inning before most likely reaching his pitch-limit. His final line was 6.1 innings, two hits, zero runs, five strikeouts, no walks. It was the Nova that the Yankees are hoping to see a lot of this season.

Danny Burawa, Shane Greene, Cesar Cabral and Dellin Betances combined to toss the final 2.2 innings without giving up a run. Betances closed out the game in the 9th and issued the only walk of the day by a Yankees pitcher. The Braves, on the other hand, walked 11.

The Yankees are on the road again tomorrow, this time taking the trip down south to face the Boston Red Sox at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers. David Phelps gets the call for the Yankees, and you can watch the game on ESPN.

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