Spring Training 2016: The Mets host the Yankees

Third game in three days: the Yankees continue their Treasure Coast swing with a visit to the Mets at Port Saint Lucie. While a little early in March to be labeled a showdown, both teams made the post-season in 2015, and expectations on both sides are high. (Below) the ever-present Florida Spring Training logo. It's not just on uniforms, but painted on the field, but as a photographer-pal pointed out, it's even stamped onto the balls being used in exhibition games.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi charts with his boss Brian Cashman during batting practice.
(Below) promising Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge getting his pre-game swings in.
The weather was picture perfect, partly sunny with a temperature in the upper 70s.
(Above) The Mets trotted out another of their four aces, 2014 Rookie of the Year winner Jacob deGrom. He wasn't his sharpest, surrendering a run and five hits over three innings, but his trademark long hair was in prime form.
(Below) Ivan Nova got the start for the Yankees -- as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2015. After looking effective following his rehab from Tommy John surgery, his performance declined over the final three months.
(Below) Curtis Granderson also made his spring debut. But it's what he did before the game that caught my attention. He signed over a dozen autographs for fans sitting near the Mets dugout. Give the guy credit, it's not like his name is Greg Bird -- it contains 16 letters. He works a pen as deftly as a bat -- making friends along the 3rd base line.
(Below) the new Mets shortshop, Asdrubal Cabrera.
Yankee prospects Aaron Judge and Rob Refsynder spend a quiet moment in the dugout.
OK... time for some game action... Here's another new Met, reliever Antonio Bastardo.
Here's power potential on display (above) the Mets young first baseman Domonic Smith and (below) Aaron Judge of the Yankees, whose broke a bat facing Bastardo. The game was a good one... the Yankees got back to back ninth inning home runs from minor leaguers Kyle Higashioka and Sebastian Valle off Bastardo to tie the game in the top of the ninth. And it ended as a 4-4 10-inning tie.

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