New Yankees Shine in Season Opener

Juan Soto was meant to play in pinstripes. 

In a back-and-forth season opener that could very well foreshadow a potential ALCS, the Yankees beat the Houston Astros in Houston in come-from-behind fashion 5-4. 

The Bronx Bombers powered past the defending ALCS champs behind a home run from Oswaldo Cabrera and a sacrifice fly from Alex Verdugo.

 The final inning was topped off by an absolute rocket of a throw from Juan Soto to get an Astros runner out at home plate. 

The game got off to a rocky start, with Nestor Cortes allowing 4 runs in the first 2 innings behind singles from Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz. A home run from Jake Meyers made it 4-0 Houston going into the third. 

But the bats got hot for the Yankees in the 5th inning, led by a Juan Soto RBI single that loaded the bases and allowed Jose Trevino to walk in a run, making it 4-1. Anthony Rizzo was then hit by a pitch, walking in another run. 

Despite a bullpen switch from Framber Valdez to Seth Martinez, Houston's pitching continued to struggle. Volpe picked up one of his three walks of the day, sending Gelyber Torres home, 4-3. 

In the 6th, Oswaldo Cabrera blasted a 400-foot home run to deep right center, tying the game at 4.  The next inning, following a double from Judge and a Single from Rizzo, new Yankee signing Alex Verdugo hit a sacrifice fly, bringing Judge home and giving the away team the lead. 

Clay Holmes came in for the final inning, allowing a Mauricio Dubon single, getting Jose Altuve to ground out, and then allowing a single from Yordan Alvarez to shallow right.  With the tying run on base, Kyle Tucker stepped up to the plate and sent a single. Soto scooped up the ball and sent a cannonball of a throw to get Dubon out at home. 

The two teams will run it back tomorrow night as the Yankees make their return to Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV. The game begins at 8:10 pm EST.