"Command of the fastball," Leyland said. "It's still the No. 1 criteria in pitching."

Then, his starter and others struggled with that basic premise.

Nate Robertson had four walks in two innings, and Scott Williamson walked four in one inning. Dontrelle Willis' two walks in two innings didn't seem bad by comparison.

"That's just uncalled for," Leyland said. "I'm talking about nobody in particular, but they all did their part.

"That's an ugly spring training game -- real ugly."

Robertson got out of walking the bases loaded in the first inning but gave up a three-run home run to Yankees shortstop Angel Berroa the next inning.

"You've got to be held accountable for walks because you are not giving your team a chance," Robertson said. "Four walks are brutal."

Robertson, vying for the fifth rotation spot with Willis, Zach Miner and Rick Porcello, has allowed seven runs in seven innings over three outings.

He has walked seven, and his only strikeouts are the pair against Johnny Damon on Sunday.

"That is my first start on March 8," Robertson said. "I'm just getting into this thing, but I'm going to have to start bearing down pretty soon. I just have to cut down on the walks."

Robertson said he can't use his changeup until he masters fastball command, and was not consistent enough with the slider that is a key for him. He got Damon to go down swinging twice on sliders, but then hung one high for Berroa.

"But, I had my best spring last year and my worst season," Robertson said

Willis gave up two runs on three hits and two walks. He decided to pitch after two days of dealing with stomach problems, saying, "I couldn't hold anything down yesterday, but I wanted to pitch today."

In his last outing, Willis had a 1-2-3 inning against Venezuela, getting Bobby Abreu, Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez in order. But he didn't get consecutive batters out this time.

"I feel good about my performance," Willis said. "I gave up one hard-hit ball today. But my hat's off to them."

Leyland, though, noted that bloop hits are part of the game.

"People are getting their opportunities," Leyland said. "We're watching. And in the end, we will make a decision. You give them an opportunity and hope that somebody steps forward.

"They will decide who pitches, not me."

Miner and rookie Porcello, 20, have pitched more consistently than Robertson and Willis. Leyland said more than spring training will be considered, and that also is a plus for Miner, who pitched well in 2008.

Williamson hadn't given up a run in two previous one-inning appearances. But he gave up six runs and got just two outs against the Yankees. Williamson was greeted by a Xavier Nady home run before walking four and giving up an RBI-double to Berroa.

As bad as the pitching was early in the game, Leyland got strong relief performances from Fernando Rodney and Juan Rincon, and more good news on Jeremy Bonderman (shoulder), who might not be far from pitching in a game.

Rodney, getting better with each outing, struck out the side in the seventh and Rincon had a 1-2-3 eighth. Rincon has not allowed a run and has given up one hit and one walk in four innings this spring. The former Minnesota Twin bullpen stalwart is beginning to look like a keeper.

"And Bondo threw on the side in the bullpen today and felt great," Leyland said. "That makes this a much better day."