Yankees 5-2 Diamondbacks: Gill, Volpe anchor to best start in 32 years

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New York Yankees 5-2 Arizona Diamondbacks

PHOENIX — Luis Gil made a triumphant return following elbow ligament surgery, propelling the New York Yankees to launch the season with a remarkable five-game winning streak, a feat not seen in over three decades! Their victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks with a score of 5-2 on Monday night marked a historic beginning.

Anthony Volpe, a promising young talent, achieved his inaugural four-hit spectacle in the major leagues, including two doubles that contributed to a run for the Yankees. Intriguingly, the team has previously accomplished this feat, commencing seasons with a flawless 5-0 record in 1933, 1988, and 1992. It’s worth noting that the 1927 Yankees maintain the pinnacle, commencing with six consecutive victories, albeit one ending in a tie.

On the pitching front, newcomer Gil made a triumphant return to Major League Baseball after an absence of nearly two years. He impressed with his scorching fastball, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour!

Even though he joined the Yankees‘ starting lineup later in his career at the age of 25, the right-handed pitcher earned high praise from manager Aaron Boone for his standout performances during spring training, which secured his spot in the rotation. Boone’s confidence in him proved justified on Monday when he held the opposing team to merely one hit across four and two-thirds innings, despite issuing three walks. Impressively, he struck out six batters, effectively shutting down their offense.

Yankees Plate Early Runs in Second and Third Innings

The New York Yankees wasted little time asserting their dominance, scoring two runs in the second inning. Oswaldo Cabrera initiated the scoring with a single, driving in one run, while Gleyber Torres followed with an RBI double, extending the lead to 2-0.

In the third inning, the Yankees took advantage of errors by the Arizona Diamondbacks, widening their lead to 5-0. Two walks and two D-backs errors created opportunities for New York. Anthony Volpe capitalized on the chance with an RBI single, and Austin Wells added another run with a sacrifice fly. Volpe exhibited smart baserunning, scoring the third run of the inning by tagging up on the same fly ball.

D-backs Errors Gift Yankees Early Run in Third Inning

In the top of the third inning, a series of defensive errors by the Arizona Diamondbacks directly resulted in a run for the New York Yankees. Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made an inaccurate throw to home plate, enabling Anthony Volpe to advance an extra base and reach third. Adding to the mishap, pitcher Ryne Nelson, covering the play at home, exacerbated the situation with a wayward throw to third base that ended up in the outfield. Taking advantage of these defensive blunders, Volpe crossed the plate for the Yankees’ score. Both Gurriel and Nelson were held accountable for errors in the play.

This costly mistake marked the premature departure of Nelson from the game. The pitcher left with a win-loss record of 0-1, conceding five runs (four earned) across two and two-thirds innings. He yielded five hits, issued four walks, and recorded two strikeouts.

Yankees Clinch Perfect Road Trip to Start Season

Luke Weaver clinched the victory for the Yankees, delivering two and a third innings of relief with just one run allowed. Victor González entered the game to finish it off, securing his first career save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Arizona’s Ketel Marte led the offense with a pair of RBIs, bringing in both runs on sacrifice flies. Despite Marte’s contributions, the Diamondbacks fell short in their attempt to overcome the deficit.

This win marks the Yankees’ fifth consecutive victory to commence the season, extending their flawless road trip. Remarkably, all five wins have occurred away from Yankee Stadium.

The lineups

The next

For Tuesday’s game, the Arizona Diamondbacks are banking on right-hander Zac Gallen (1-0, 1.80 ERA). Gallen has showcased strong form this season, maintaining an ERA below 2.00. On the other side, the New York Yankees will rely on left-hander Nestor Cortes (0-0, 7.20 ERA) to rebound from a challenging start to the season.

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