New York Yankees nail down 4-2 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers in home opener
BRONX (WABC) -- The New York Yankees started off their season on a high note, with a nail-biting, 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on opening day.
Austin Wells became the first catcher to hit a leadoff homer on opening day, and Anthony Volpe also went deep to help lead the Bombers to victory on Thursday.
Carlos Rodón, starting because of ace Gerrit Cole's season-ending elbow injury, allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Rodón got 13 swing and misses, including nine on sliders.
Devin Williams, an All-Star closer acquired from Milwaukee in December, loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth on two hits and a walk. He gave up Brice Turang's sacrifice fly, then struck out Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich for the save.
While the Yankees' home opener was capped off with a victory, there was plenty of festivities prior to the game.
Andy Pettitte, the five-time World Series champion, took the hill to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday to get things started.
The New York Yankees entered this season after making it all the way to the World Series but not bringing home the trophy. So, there is a lot to prove as this MLB season gets underway.
And there have been a lot of changes and hurdles already.
The Yankees without Juan Soto, who is playing across town for the Mets.
The Bombers also got bitten by the injury bug early on in spring training and are without Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton, two big stars.
However, the team added some key offensive and pitching assets, namely outfielder Cody Bellinger and pitcher Max Fried.
The Yankees have now won seven of their last eight season openers since 2018.
Fried makes his Yankees debut Saturday and Nestor Cortes will make his Brewers debut in his return to New York.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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