Yankees Can’t Buy Win Against Astros

Despite their multimillion-dollar off-season acquisitions, the New York Yankees suffered an upsetting 6-2 loss at Minute Maid Park to the Houston Astros this past Tuesday on Opening Day.

 

The Yankees’ Payroll amounts to an astronomical $203,445,586 this year, placing them behind the Los Angeles Dodgers as the second highest-paying team in Major League Baseball. Center Fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Right Fielder Carlos Beltran, and Catcher Brian McCaan are three marquee purchases for the New York Yankees, collectively earning nearly $54 million this season.

 

Although the entire game was dismal at best for New York, it was especially depressing to witness these significant acquisitions flounder on their first night in a Yankee uniform. Jacoby Ellsbury could not muster a single base hit in five at-bats, Carlos Beltran went 1 for 4 as did Brian McCaan.

 

The Astros took a 6-0 lead after two innings of play, due in large part to a shaky New York defense. Houston base runners took full advantage of uncharacteristic wild pitches, overthrown balls and a Carlos Beltran fielding error in right field. This Yankee defense felt unnatural and out of sync.

 

The lackluster performance cannot be placed solely on the shoulders of the New York newcomers. The Astros generated their entire offense in the first two innings while facing Yankee Ace, C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia continued to leave pitches high in the strike zone and the Astros jumped on each mistake. Houston Center Fielder Dexter Fowler came out of the gate with a long double and was quickly driven in by an RBI single off the bat of Second Baseman Jose Altuve. Altuve proved to be a legitimate threat to the New York Yankees, having finished 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.

 

The Houston Astros continued the damage as First Baseman Jesus Guzman hit a two-run homerun and was later followed up by a solo blast from Right Fielder L.J. Hoes.

 

Scott Feldman, who pitched 6.2 shutout innings with 3 strikeouts, got his first win on the campaign. He only allowed two hits off the bats of Carlos Beltran and First Baseman Mark Teixeira, who went 2 for 3 with a base on balls.

 

The Yankees manufactured two runs in the top of the eighth, which did little to combat the Houston lead. Brian McCaan was able to drive in Jacoby Ellsbury who reached base on a walk; and Mark Teixeira brought in Shortstop Derek Jeter.

 

Tuesday, April 1, marked the final Opening Day for Captain Derek Jeter. Jeter, who is  regarded as one of the most beloved Yankees of all time, announced his retirement following the 2014 season. He received a warm reception from the Houston fans and finished the night 1 for 3 after being hit by a pitch in his first at-bat.