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BASEBALL

Perfection Through Seven For Michael Pineda On Opening Day At Yankee Stadium

Michael Pineda was nothing short of fantastic Monday afternoon as New York had their home opener against Tampa Bay.

He threw 6 2/3 innings of an electric 11-strikeout performance, leading the Yankees to an 8-1 victory over the Rays in their home opener.

The right-hander Michael Pineda relied heavily on his devastating slider, Pineda retired the first 20 batters before Evan Longoria's two-out double to left field in the seventh inning. Pineda received a standing ovation as he exited with two outs in the eighth, snapping an 11-start winless streak as he picked up his first victory since Aug. 5 at Cleveland. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/223408178/michael-pineda-takes-perfect-game-bid-into-7th/

The New York offense didn't look so bad either as Aaron Judge and Chase Headley homered off Rays starter Alex Cobb, who permitted five runs four of them were earned while he also gave up six hits over 7 1/3 innings. Jacoby Ellsbury and Matt Holliday contributed run-scoring doubles as the Yankees improved to 16-4 in home openers since 1998.  Starlin Castro also got in on the action by beltingan umpire reviewed  "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/223408178/michael-pineda-takes-perfect-game-bid-into-7th/

Michael Pineda would have had a perfect start if it hadn't been for Tampa Bay first baseman Logan Morrison who had a home run to right-center field  reviewed by the umpires in the eighth inning. "according to  http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/223408178/michael-pineda-takes-perfect-game-bid-into-7th/

New York and Tampa Bay will resume their three-game series Wednesday. Jordan Montgomery who won the fifth-starter competition will make his Major League debut Wednesday for New York. The 24-year-old left -hander was 14-5 with a 2.13 ERA in the Minors last year. He will face Tampa Bay Righty Blake Snell who has a record of 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. He will make his second start of the regular season Wednesday after losing to Toronto on Thursday night. Snell is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees. He is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA in two starts at Yankee Stadium. One of those was his Major League debut April 23, 2016. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/223408178/michael-pineda-takes-perfect-game-bid-into-7th/

Will Jordan Montgomery pitch well in his New York debut? Will the offense be able to back up his first start in the major leagues? 

First pitch is set for 1:05 pm. The game will be televised on the Major League Baseball Network.