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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros beats out a throw to first base fielded by Dellin Betances #68 of the New York Yankees in the eigth inningduring Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on April 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Yankees Game 1: Betances, umps spoil Opening Day

Houston Astros 5 – New York Yankees 3

Happy Opening Day…finally!

Opening Day for the host Yankees against the Houston Astros in a 2015 Wild Card rematch featured a messy eighth inning for Yankees and umpires.

For the Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka was in command, retiring the first nine batters faced. On the other side, Dallas Keuchel tried to continue his strong showing when facing the Yankees but a new face got the Astros’ ace.

With two on and two out, Starlin Castro made a great impression on Yankees fans when it counts by drilling a line drive just first down the left field line for a two-run double. With Tanaka ahead, he looked to maintain the lead but when the Astros broke the hit column, they also chipped away at the Yankees lead.

Jose Altuve started the fourth inning with a laser to left field that froze Aaron Hicks in his tracks. George Springer reached base on an infield single and Carlos Correa brought in the Astros’ first run of the game on a force out at second base.

While Keuchel settled down for the Astros, keeping them off the scoreboard after the second inning, Masahiro Tanaka gave up one more significant hit in the sixth inning.

After getting the first two outs, Carlos Correa struck again, this time a solo home run into the right field seats to tie game at two. Masahiro Tanaka followed by walking a batter, ending his day.

In 5 2/3 innings, Masahiro Tanaka allowed two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out four.

After 1 1/3 innings by Chasen Shreve, Dellin Betances came on for the eighth inning and was considerably wild. Leading off the inning, Betances walked Jose Altuve who wasted no time in stealing second base. After a fly out, Carlos Correa hit a slow roller down the first base line where Betances needed to throw over the Astros’ shortstop but he also threw over Teixeira and the error allowed Altuve to score the go-ahead run.

Despite the vehement disagreement with Correa’s path from home to first, including a meeting of the umpires, the call on the field remained. Joe Girardi indicated that the Yankees are playing the remainder of the game under protest.

Visual evidence makes sense but a postgame interview revealed the scenario that worked in favor of the Yankees.

The game goes on and Betances’ wildness continued with a walk to put two on with one out. After the second out, Betances appeared to have gotten Luis Valbuena out on strikes but it was called a ball. With the at-bat extended, Valbuena hit a single through the infield, scoring two runs and giving the Astros a three-run lead. Johnny Barbato made his major league debut by striking out the second batter he faced, putting out an already bad fire.

In 2/3 of an inning, Dellin Betances allowed three unearned runes on one hit, two walks and a strikeout. He needed 30 pitches in his appearance so his availability for tomorrow is doubtful.

In the eighth inning, Didi Gregorius put himself on record with the first Yankees home run of the season when he took reliever Ken Giles deep for a solo home run. Unfortunately, the Yankees could not rally to make up the other two runs against setup man Giles and closer Luke Gregerson in today’s loss.

 

Win – Dallas Keuchel (1-0)

Loss – Dellin Betances (0-1)

Save – Luke Gregerson (1)

 

Notables

Astros

*Carlos Correa – 1 for 4, 2 R, Solo home run (1) in the 6th, 2 RBI (2)

*Luis Valbuena – 1 for 4, 2 RBI (2)

Yankees

*Starlin Castro – 1 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI (2)

*Didi Gregorius – 1 for 3, R, Solo home run (1) in the 8th, RBI (1)

 

Current Yankees Record: 0-1