Hyde gets 1st win as manager, Orioles beat Yankees 5-3
NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Hyde earned his first win as Baltimore Orioles manager when slow-footed catcher Jesus Sucre was aggressive on the bases to score the go-ahead run, then added three late RBIs to beat the New York Yankees 5-3 Saturday.
Baltimore used reliever Nate Karns as an opener in his first major league appearance since May 2017, and the 31-year-old right-hander got into a bases-loaded, one-out jam. But Miguel Andujar hit into a 1-2-3 double play, and Karns pitched a scoreless second.
Jimmy Yacabonis (1-0), a 27-year-old righty who lives in Matawan, New Jersey, followed and allowed one run over three innings for his first win since September 2017.
Baltimore rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the sixth against James Paxton (0-1) when Sucre tagged and went to third on Jonathan Villar’s fly to center, just beating Brett Gardner’s throw, then scored on Dwight Smith’s single. Catcher Gary Sanchez’s wild throw on a double steal, the second of three New York errors, allowed the go-ahead run to score. Sucre added an RBI single in the seventh off Chad Green and a two-run double in the ninth against Jonathan Holder for a three-hit day.
Yacobonis’ only previous two big league victories came in a three-day span in September 2017. The Orioles converted him to a starter last year, when he spent most of the season at Triple-A Norfolk. He gave up his only run on a fourth-inning RBI single by DJ LeMahieu that nicked off the outstretched glove of shortstop Richie Martin.
Hyde, a Chicago Cubs coach for the past five seasons, was hired in December to fill the last manager opening in the major leagues. Now 45, he never made it higher than Triple-A as a player. He was hired by new general manager Mike Elias, who took over after a 115-loss season, and Hyde opened with a 7-2 defeat to the Yankees on opening day.
Baltimore led 5-1 before Troy Tuluwitzki homered leading off the ninth against Richard Bleier, his first longball since July 8, 2017. LeMahieu doubled, Aaron Judge hit a one-out single and Mike Wright relieved.
Giancarlo Stanton struck out on a full-count slider, and Luke Voit popped a run-scoring single off the glove of onrushing, stretching right fielder Joey Rickard. Wright struck out Andujar for his first pro save in nine seasons.
New York has not opened with consecutive wins since 2011.
Paxton, a 30-year-old left-hander acquired from Seattle on Nov. 18, became just the eighth Canadian-born player for Yankees. He dominated with one-hit ball through five innings, working quickly and switching speeds.
Paxton allowed two runs — one earned — and four hits in 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and a walk. He threw 53 fastballs, topping at 98 mph, 14 cutters ranging from 86-90 mph and 15 knuckle-curves from 77-83 mph. He was given an ovation when he left the game and saluted the crowd.
BENCHED
Orioles 1B Chris Davis was out of the lineup against the left-handed starter after going 0 for 3 with three strikeouts in the opener.
START ME UP
LeMahieu went 2 for 4 in his Yankees debut.
OPENERS
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he may use an opener Monday against Detroit, then bring in RHP Domingo German.
LIGHT YEAR
New energy-efficient lighting has been installed in both clubhouse, with 24 fixtures on the ceiling of the Yankees room. The warmth of the color can be adjusted from white to yellow. The previously gray concrete floor of the tunnel in Yankee Stadium’s basement has been painted dark blue in the team’s color.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Orioles: RHP Alex Cobb (strained right groin) pitched in a minor league exhibition Friday and is on track to start the Orioles’ home opener against the Yankees next Thursday.
Yankees: OF Aaron Hicks, sidelined since straining his back during pregame batting practice in March 1, is feeling better and will soon resume baseball activities, Boone said,
UP NEXT
LHP J.A. Happ starts Sunday’s series finale for the Yankees and RHP Dylan Bundy for the Orioles.
