Starting lineup
CF - Jacoby Ellsbury
LF - Brett Gardner
RF - Carlos Beltran
DH - Alfonso Soriano
C - Brian McCann
1B - Mark Teixera
2B - Brian Roberts
SS - Dean Anna
3B - Yangervis Solarte
SP - Ivan Nova
While the Yankees jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, Ivan Nova gave it all back, and more in the bottom of the first when he got off to a shaky start to his 2014 campaign by allowing 3 runs.
It would be one of those games for Nova, as he alternated between pitching great (2nd and 3rd innings), and terrible (1st and 4th). We'll need more consistent starting pitching if we hope to contend in the AL East, although it's still early in the season.
Adam Warren made his season debut today, and allowed a 3 run homer in the sixth before settling down. Despite giving up 10 runs the Yankees weren't out of it today.
In fact, if we could hit with the bases loaded we'd be talking about a series win instead of a series loss. Once again Brett Gardner couldn't come through with the bases loaded.
I am encouraged by the debuts of Dean Anna and Yangervis Solarte, who combined to go 5-7 in the game with an RBI and a pair of runs scored. Unfortunately it was a disappointing end to our first series of the season, and I can't help but feel we should have taken two out of three from the Astros.
Season Record: 1-2
2014 Yankees Record: 1-2
Heroes
Jacoby Ellsbury picked up 3 doubles in the game, drove in 2 and scored 2 runs and is hitting .357 after the first series. I'm enjoying him at the top of the lineup, and hope we'll be able to take advantage of the speed of both Ellsbury and Gardner.
Dean Anna had an impressive debut at the plate, going 3-3 with a walk, including a big RBI double. He did make an error at shortstop, but could be a valuable member of the team.
Solarte was impressive as well with a 2-4 debut.
Goats
Again we get a poor performance from a starting pitcher, as Ivan Nova as roughed up with 7 runs in 5 innings, walking 3 and striking out 3. It could have been worse, but it wasn't good.
Alfonso Soriano continues to be an easy out in the cleanup spot, with an 0-4 night to drop to .083 on the season.
Brian Roberts delivered the other 0-for night tonight, going 0-4.
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The Yankees will hit the road and travel to Toronto next where Masahiro Tanaka will make his highly anticipated debut.