Ohlendorf left with a 2-0 lead after reaching his 55-pitch limit. The Yankees tied the game in the sixth inning and broke it open with a seven-run seventh.

Ohlendorf did not allow a hit or a walk and got two strikeouts in his longest outing of the spring.

The Yankees also played a game in Tampa against the Houston Astros. But there were enough starters - Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada - in the lineup to give Ohlendorf a test.

"I was excited about being able to pitch against the Yankees," he said. "I have some friends over there. I'm glad it went well for me."

Both of Ohlendorf's strikeouts came against Teixeira, the Yankees' new $180 million first baseman.

"Yeah, I noticed that," Ohlendorf said, grinning. "Sometimes it happens that way."

Ohlendorf was traded to Pittsburgh in July as part of a six-player deal. The pitching-thin Pirates sent outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte to the Yankees and got Ohlendorf, right-handers Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen and outfielder Jose Tabata.

This spring, Ohlendorf is a candidate for the starting rotation. Over the past two years, he was used as a reliever in all 31 outings with the Yankees.

"I'm definitely happy to be here," Ohlendorf said. "From a career standpoint, this is a much better opportunity for me. I have a chance to start here; I wouldn't really have that over there."

Late last season, Ohlendorf did not fare well in a six-start audition with the Pirates, going 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA. However, manager John Russell knows Ohlendorf was worn down in those September games.

"I think he started to kind of fade," Russell said. "But we thought it was important to give him his starts and build up his arm. He's more comfortable, more relaxed here now. He's ready for the challenge of starting all year."

Phil Hughes, hoping for another shot in the Yankees' rotation, pitched the first three innings for New York. He gave up two hits, both solo homers, walked three and struck out two.

Nyjer Morgan hit Hughes' second pitch over the right-field wall. Ryan Doumit connected with two outs in the first inning.

"The home run to Morgan was a decent pitch," Hughes said. "Fastball in. He just turned on it. Overall, my command was a little shoddy today, trying to nibble too much with my fastball. But other than those two home runs, they didn't put a ball in play hard against me."

The Yankees tied it at 3 by scoring twice in the sixth against Denny Bautista.

They got seven more in the seventh against Craig Hansen and Chris Bootcheck. Jesus Montero hit a two-out, pinch-hit grand slam.

New York's other split squad beat Houston 3-1 in Tampa.

Notes: Russell and second baseman Freddy Sanchez were ejected in the fifth by plate umpire Rob Healey. Sanchez was tossed for disputing a called third strike. ... Yankees outfielder John Rodriguez left in the eighth inning with a bruised right wrist after being hit by a pitch. He is day to day. ... Pittsburgh's Eric Hinske (ribcage bruise) took batting practice for the first time since Feb. 26. He also went through a full workout, shagging flies in left field. ... OF Brandon Moss returned to Pirates camp after attending to a family matter in Georgia. Moss is out indefinitely with a sprained right thumb.