New York Yankees Salvage Game in Houston

Apr 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(47) throws the ball during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It’s always nice to get a win under your belt. For the New York Yankees, they avoid being swept by the team that has been the worst in baseball over the past few seasons. Behind Ivan Nova escaping many a jam, and the bullpen getting the job done, the Yankees earned their first win of the year by a 4-2 score.

Like the two previous games, the Yankees were put behind the eight ball in the bottom of the first. Dexter Fowler led off with a single and Robbie Grossman followed suit. Jason Castro was hit to load the bases. Jose Altuve‘s groundout made it 1-0.

The Yankees came back to take the lead in the third off Brett Oberholzer. With one out, three straight singles by Ichiro Suzuki, Yangervis Solarte (his first major league hit) and Brett Gardner tied it at one. Derek Jeter walked to load the bases. Carlos Beltran‘s sac fly made it 2-1.

Solarte was a part of another Yankee rally in the fifth with a one out double. Two batters later, Jeter singled in Solarte, but was thrown out trying to stretch it.

The Astros came back in the bottom half. Jonathan Villar doubled and came around to score on another Fowler hit.

The Yankees added another run in the seventh and that man Solarte was right in the middle of it. With two outs, Suzuki doubled. Solarte hit a high popup in front of the mound that no one made a play on, and thanks to Ichiro’s hustle, he came around to score.

Masahiro Tanaka will make his major league debut tomorrow night at 7:05ET as the Yankees head north of the border to take on the Toronto Blue Jays in their home opener. Dustin McGowan will be on the hill for Toronto.