Yankees & Astros Trade Runs in an Unforgettable Opening-Day Shootout

Down 4-0 early, New York rallies to stun Houston at Minute Maid Park.

HOUSTON — "Wouldn't you know that the Bronx Bombers would be the bad guys." The AL West division-winning Houston Astros (0-1) wasted no time lighting up Nester Cortes (5-2, 4.97 ERA). With the New York Yankees ( 1-0) ace pitcher Gerritt Cole starting the new season on the 60-day DL, Cortes got the ball for the Bronx Bombers. And the Astros lit him up for three runs on three hits in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead on Opening Day.

The Astros starting pitcher, Framber Valdez, shut out the Yankees in the top of the first, but he got in a little trouble in the second. Valdez walked Anthony Rizzo and then gave up two hits to load the bases. Unfortunately, the Yankees ended up stranding three more baserunners as Valdez worked his way out of trouble.

Houston’s No. 9 hitter, Jake Myers, added insult to injury in the bottom of the second as he smashed a solo home run to left field and gave the Astros a 4-0 advantage. New York threatened again in the top of the fourth, but they left the bases loaded once again — stranding three more potential runs.

The Empire State Strikes Back!

New York’s newest member, Juan Soto recorded his first hit with the Yanks as he drilled an RBI single in the top of fifth inning to finally get the Yankees on the scoreboard — and cutting the Astros’ lead to 4-1. Both Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton then had the opportunity to do some damage with the bases loaded, but neither could come through.

Rizzo was then hit by pitch by Valdez, which scored another run, as the Bronx Bombers crept closer, 4-2. An Anthony Volpe RBI pulled the Yanks to within a run, 4-3. But New York couldn't get any closer, at that point, as they once again left the bases loaded! In the top of the sixth, the Yankees continued to rally, though, as the Wizard of Oz, Oswaldo Cabrera, tattooed a right-field homer to finally tie the game 4-4.

The Yankees took their first lead of the game in the top of seventh when team captain Aaron Judge scored from third base on an RBI sac fly by Alex Verdugo to give New York a 5-4 advantage. It was a lead the Bronx Bombers wouldn't relinquish en route to their first win of the 2024 season. Yankees closer Clay Holmes walked away with the save.

The Yankees’ four-game road trip against the Astros continues on Friday, March 29. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CDT, and the game can be seen on Apple TV+. Radio options include NY Sports Radio WFAN 660/101.9 FM and WADO 1280.