The Houston Astros opened the 2024 season by hosting the New York Yankees. After jumping out to a 4-0 advantage, New York scored five unanswered runs to take Game 1 of the series with a 5-4 final.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Astros made quick work of New York in the top half of the first with an early strikeout from Framber Valdez before a full-count walk to put former NL ROY Juan Soto on base. However, Aaron Judge grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the frame.
In the bottom half, Yordan Alvarez got the first hit of the season before Kyle Tucker drew a walk. Two batters later, Chas McCormick had a bases-loaded RBI single to score a pair of runs before Yainer Diaz added another to make it a 3-0 lead for Houston.
In the bottom of the second, Jake Meyers took a pitch into the Crawford Boxes to extend the lead to 4-0 for the Astros.
In the fourth, the Yankees loaded the bases with one out, but Valdez induced the third double play of the contest to keep New York off the board.
The Yankees got three runs back in the fifth with a bases-loaded RBI single from newly acquired Juan Soto before a hit by pitch and walk sent two more runs in to make it a 4-3 game.
Oswaldo Cabrera tied the game in the top of the sixth with a solo home run to right to even the score at 4-4.
In the seventh, Aaron Judge hit a double into the left field corner before a single from Anthony Rizzo put runners at the corners with just one out. Alex Verdugo launched a sacrifice fly into left field to score Judge and give New York a 5-4 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Mauricio Dubon got things started with a single for the Astros. Yordan Alvarez then legged out a single to put a pair of runners on before Kyle Tucker hit a single to right field, but Soto threw Dubon out at the plate for the second out. Alex Bregman then grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the contest.
BIG NUMBER: 9
The Astros pitching staff allowed nine walks in the contest, including six from Framber Valdez. Two of the walks resulted in runs.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: New York Bullpen
After Cortes gave up four early runs to the Astros, the Yankees’ bullpen slammed the door and kept Houston off the scoreboard.
UP NEXT: The Yankees and Astros will return to Minute Maid Park for the second game in a four-game series on Friday. First pitch is set for 7:10 and can be heard on News Talk 98.5 FM and 1520 AM.