TORONTO — While many Yankee fans have been imagining what the new lineup could do all offseason, no one could have predicted an opening day like this. New York opened its season with a dominant 6-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.
Giancarlo Stanton made the ultimate first impression, going 3-5 with two long home runs and four RBIs in his debut. Brett Gardner added a solo shot in the seventh to highlight the offensive attack.
In the first inning, Gardner hit a ball to left field that Curtis Granderson just dropped. While Aaron Judge subsequently struck out, Stanton would leave no doubts as his opposite field blast left his bat at 117 MPH, the hardest since Statcast began tracking exit velocity.
Four innings later, Granderson would redeem himself as he got the only Toronto hit off of Luis Severino. The Yankee ace, however, was excellent all day, pitching 5 ⅔ innings, striking out seven, and giving up just the lone hit.
In the next frame, Yankee fans would get a glimpse of what many have called a Modern Day Murderer’s Row. Still facing J.A. Happ, Judge would work a two-out walk to chase the Toronto starter from the game. John Axford would come in to replace him but Stanton and Gary Sanchez would greet him with consecutive RBI doubles.
Chad Green relieved Severino in the sixth, as he pitched a clean inning and a third as the Yankees continued to cruise.
Stanton would then add his finishing touches as he homered off of old friend Tyler Clippard in the final inning. Aroldis Chapman worked a 1-2-3 ninth to shut the door on the Jays.
Outta There x2 👋✌️ pic.twitter.com/Ct2AnDyDN5
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 29, 2018
In the victory, Brandon Drury and Neil Walker each got their first Yankee hits, with the latter hitting a double to left center.
Dellin Betances gave up the only Blue Jay run in the eighth inning, as Kevin Pillar took him deep on a first pitch fastball.
The two teams are back at it tomorrow as Masahiro Tanaka faces off with Aaron Sanchez.
Current Yankees Record: 1-0
