Yankees’ Ben Rice makes 412-foot impression with first spring homer

Observations from Yankees spring training on Wednesday

Big blast

Ben Rice crushed his first home run of the spring, a 412-footer off Red Sox reliever Justin Slaten that came off the bat at 108.8 mph and cut through the wind blowing in from right field.

Bird botch

At first base, Rice made a diving stop to his right to knock down a hard ground ball from Isiah Kiner-Falefa, got to his feet to collect the ball and then flipped to Jake Bird for what should have been an out.

The first base umpire claimed Bird did not actually step on the bag, but it was a strong play by Rice nonetheless.

Caught my eye

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, shortstop Braden Shewmake made a diving catch in shallow left field, then got onto one knee to fire home and throw out the runner trying to tag up from third for the inning-ending double play.

Thursday’s schedule

Paul Blackburn will make his second start of the spring as the Yankees host the Twins on Thursday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field.