HOUSTON — Dominican Juan Soto he retired the runner with a throw to the plate which represented the tying run in the ninth inning in his debut with the Yankees, and launched the comeback from a four-run deficit as New York began the season by beating the Houston Astros 5-4 on Thursday.
Venezuelan Oswaldo Cabrera homered, while Aaron Judge doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, during which the Yankees took the lead.
Singles by Honduran Mauricio Dubón and Cuban Yordan Álvarez off Clay Holmes left the Astros with two runners on board in the ninth inning. Kyle Tucker lined a single to right field and Soto, acquired in a December trade with San Diego, bounced a throw home along the third base line.
Catcher José Treviño put Dubón out, touching him on the left arm just before his finger touched the plate. Umpire James Hoye called out and his decision was confirmed by the video.
Alex Bregman then grounded out for a force out, and Holmes was credited with the save.
Puerto Rican Joe Espada fell in his first game after replacing Dusty Baker, who retired, as manager.
For the Yankees, Venezuelans Gleyber Torres was 0 for 4 with one run scored, Cabrera was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Dominican José Soto went 1 for 3 with an RBI. Mexican Alex Verdugo went 3-1 with an RBI.
For the Astros, Venezuelan José Altuve is 5-1. The Cubans Álvarez 5-2 with one scored, José Abreu 3-0 with one scored. The Dominicans Yainer Díaz 4-3 with an RBI, Jeremy Peña 4-2.
