The New York Yankees opened the 2022 season with a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Boston Red Sox in 11 innings.
The Yankees trailed 3-0, 4-3 and 5-4, but fought back each time to secure the extra-inning win.
Boston jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first. Rafael Devers crushed a two-run home run into the second deck off Gerrit Cole and J.D. Martinez lined a RBI double down the right-field line. However, the Yankees responded in the bottom half of the inning. Anthony Rizzo drilled a two-run home run into the seats in right to cut the lead to one.
Giancarlo Stanton tied the game at three in the fourth with a solo home run that just went over the right-field wall.
Alex Verdugo put the Red Sox back on top in the sixth, but two innings later DJ LeMahieu tied the game once again with a solo home run to right-center.
In the 10th, Xander Bogaerts dunked one into shallow left for a RBI single to give Boston a 5-4 lead, their third lead of the afternoon. In the bottom half of the inning, Gleyber Torres came off the bench to pinch-hit for Kyle Higashioka and tied the game with a sac fly to center.
Josh Donaldson completed the comeback with a walk-off RBI single to center in the 11th.
Cole surrendered three runs on four hits over four innings while striking out three and walking one.
The Yankees bullpen was very good as they combined to allow just two runs (one earned) over seven innings. Clay Holmes (0.2 IP) allowed the lone earned run. Michael King (2.0 IP) allowed the unearned run. Chad Green (1.0 IP), Miguel Castro (0.1 IP), Jonathan Loaisiga (1.1 IP), Wandy Peralta (0.2 IP) and Aroldis Chapman (1.0 IP) each had scoreless appearances.
Donaldson and Aaron Judge each had two-hit games. Joey Gallo had a rough Opening Day as he struck out three times.
Luis Severino will get the ball Saturday in game two of this three-game series. First pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].