Matijevic’s Single lifted Astros in 9th-inning
J.J. Matijevic’s pinch-hit RBI single with 2 outs in the 9th inning lifted the Houston Astros to a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday.
Alex Bregman singled to start the Houston ninth inning against Michael King (6-3). Aledmys Daz’s double moved Bregman to third. Following Yuli Gurriel’s strikeout, pinch-hitter Yordan Alvarez was intentionally walked to load the bases.
After striking out Chas McCormick, King appeared to be on his way out of the jam, but Matijevic ran in Bregman with a single to shortstop.
The doubleheader between the Yankees and the Houston Astros will help make up for a series that was postponed due to the lockout. On June 30, Houston won the very first game of the series.
The Astros led 2-1 going into the ninth inning. However, Aaron Hicks singled against Héctor Neris (3-3) and scored on Isiah Kiner-two-out Falefa’s single, a grounder that rolled just past shortstop Jeremy Pea.
Although DJ LeMahieu homered in the fifth, the Yankees were only 1 for 8 with runners on base.
Houston took an early lead against Jordan Montgomery, scoring in each of the first 2 innings.
Houston’s first inning began with back-to-back singles by Jose Altuve and Pea. Altuve was driven in by Bregman’s one-out single to center.
In the second inning, Mauricio Dubón walked and managed to score on Lee’s double.
In the third inning, the Yankees loaded the bases with no outs, but Cristian Javier escaped with some help from his defense. Matt Carpenter lined to Gurriel at first, and he beat Aaron Judge back to first to complete a double play. The inning was ended when Gleyber Torres flew out.
Montgomery struck out eight batters in 6 2/3 innings, tying a season-high. He allowed 7 hits and walked one.
Javier issued four walks in five innings, tying a season-high. It was Javier’s first start against the Yankees. Neris and Ryan Pressly completed the historic gem.
It was the third doubleheader for the Minute Maid Park since it opened in 2000.
UP NEXT
Domingo Germán of New York will make his season debut after missing Game 2 of the doubleheader against Luis Garcia due to a shoulder injury (7-3, 3.65 ERA).
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