Garcia gives himself reason to believe

New York Yankees pitcher Freddy Garcia throws in the first... — New York Yankees pitcher Freddy Garcia throws in the first inning of a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays. (March 3, 2011) Credit: AP

By ERIK BOLANDerik.boland@newsday.comMarch 8, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- From the time he entered Yankees camp for spring training, Freddy Garcia has thought the fifth starter's job is his to lose.

And in his exhibition debut Thursday, he did nothing to lose it, looking sharp against the Rays in a 1-1, 10-inning tie.

Garcia pitched the first two innings, allowing two hits and no runs and topping out at 89 mph. "Freddy looked good," general manager Brian Cashman said.

Garcia, 34, went 12-6 with a 4.64 ERA with the White Sox last year, a performance that made him the favorite for the job. That's a status he agrees with.

"I said it the first day in camp: If I lose this spot, that's my fault," he said. "That's my responsibility. If [earning a rotation spot] doesn't happen, that's my own problem."

Joe Girardi liked hearing Garcia's expression of confidence.

"I like the attitude," he said. "You have to believe in yourself in this game. It's a tough game and everyone's always fighting for jobs. That's the belief you have to have."

The potential stumbling block is that Garcia rarely pitches well in spring training. He bombed last year, compiling a 10.38 ERA -- and that was a vast improvement over his 16.71 ERA in spring training of 2009.

Some of that, however, could be attributed to various shoulder ailments the pitcher has dealt with, issues he said are in the past.

"My arm feels great," Garcia said. "That's the difference from last year at this point in spring training; I couldn't throw like this. But this year's different. I have to win this spot and I need to pitch good in spring training."

The pitcher the Yankees hope will grab the other backend rotation spot, Ivan Nova, allowed three hits and no runs in three innings Thursday. He has thrown five scoreless innings.

"We've been working hard for this," Nova said. "I have five scoreless innings and I'm looking for more . . . My stuff feels good. I threw some great curveballs, my changeup, my fastball was still there. Command, I'm still keeping the ball low, and that's good."