Former Exeter Monarch baseball players Jeriome Robertson and Adam Pettyjohn continued to display their wares to their respective teams this week hoping to find a spot on the major league roster.
Robertson, a pitcher for the Houston Astros, may never pitch in an All-Star Game but the lefthander got a taste of what that would be like Friday against the Yankees.
Robertson faced a Yankees lineup that features some of the biggest names in baseball, including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield.
Robertson allowed two runs and four hits and struck out three in three innings.
"It's always fun to face some of the best hitters in the game," Robertson told the Houston Chronicle. "That kind of lets you know where you stand and where you're at. I heard Sheffield hurt his thumb and then he was in the lineup, and I was like, `Dang, they got another guy.' They're all outstanding hitters and you have to have a plan every time you go up. You have to make your pitches or they can hurt you."
After retiring Glenn Bragg to start the game, Robertson gave up a single to Jeter, walked Rodriguez and struck out Giambi swinging. Sheffield and Hideki Matsui each followed with RBI singles before Jorge Posada struck out to end the first. In the third, Jeter singled and Rodriguez hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
Robertson finished last season with an Astros rookie record 15 wins. Prior to Spring Training this year it was announced that Tim Redding would get the final spot in the starting rotation over Robertson.
Adam Pettyjohn continued his spring success in limited action striking out two in one inning of work against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The Giants won the game 11-3.
