Major League Baseball

Johnson homers in Yankees' win over Astros (ss)

Published Mar. 8, 2014 4:35 p.m. ET

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Kelly Johnson homered after Mark Teixeira's first hit of the spring, and the New York Yankees beat a Houston Astros split squad 9-6 on Saturday.

Teixeira, playing in his second spring game after missing most of last season due to wrist surgery, led off the third inning with a long double off reliever Darin Downs. Johnson hit the next pitch for his first homer.

Teixeira went 1-for-2 with a walk while ''continuing to knock off some rust, get my legs in shape, get my swing in shape,'' he said. ''I was glad I saw a walk today. That was a good step for me, just seeing pitches.''

Teixeira was also happy to get some swings from both sides of the plate.

''I like doing that in spring training because we have days off, and sometimes pitchers are changing so much,'' he said. ''You can go two or three games without facing a left-handed pitcher. I'll go a week without hitting right-handed.''

Chris Carter hit a three-run homer for the Astros, and Jose Altuve had two hits and scored twice.

Ivan Nova gave up three runs and eight hits in four innings in his second spring start for the Yankees. Carter's first spring home run came off Manny Banuelos, the 23-year-old left-hander who didn't pitch last season after having elbow surgery.

Chase Whitley got the win after striking out the only batter he faced. Jose Cisnero took the loss after giving up three hits in New York's three-run sixth.

Houston manager Bo Porter used his first replay challenge unsuccessfully in the second inning, disputing an out call at first base after a bunt by Jonathan Villar.

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