Yankees worth big league-high $3.7 billion

But for today, this was a Yankees team that showed resilience and patience with a Tampa Bay pitching staff that seeps water once you get into their bullpen.

Indeed, the gap between Pineda’s tantalizing potential and the more frustrating reality is everywhere in the numbers. Diaz field the ball and turned toward second, hoping to start an inning-ending double play but forgetting the infield was in and there was no one covering the base. He did enough to put himself in position for an early call-up – there’s a pretty good chance Montgomery would have been in the Opening Day rotation had the Yankees needed their fifth starter right out of the gate – and tomorrow afternoon he’ll make his first big league start.

Then on Monday afternoon in the Bronx, Pineda had a flawless game 20 batters in. The last time Romine was behind the plate for a Pineda start was on July 25, 2016, when he lasted 7 innings against the Astros, held them to 1 run and got the win against Dallas Keuchel. “I had just guessed slider on that pitch, and he made a mistake”.

The number one rule during a flawless game or no-hitter is to not mention it’s happening and this is why.

Pineda’s bid for a flawless game ended one batter later, when Evan Longoria lined Pineda’s 75th pitch of the night – a first-pitch slider – into left field for a clean double. But then Logan Morrison hit a home run, only the second hit of the game allowed and first run.

Still, the rookie went on to allow just an unearned run from there, finishing with seven strikeouts before departing in a 3-0 hole but to a hearty ovation with two down in the fifth. He was let down a bit by his fielding.

Ellsbury doubled into the right- centre gap in the third to drive in Brett Gardner, who reached on a wild pitch as he swung at strike three.

“My job at the top of the lineup is to get on base and move over and score runs, ” Gardner said.

NY took a 2-0 lead against Alex Cobb (1-1) on Jacoby Ellsbury’s RBI double in the third and Judge’s home run in the fourth, his second in two days.

Starlin Castro and Chase Headley both continued their torrid hitting, each with two hits and two runs scored.

Things fell apart for the Rays in the eighth inning.

Sumter native and former South Carolina Gamecock Jordan Montgomery got to Yankee Stadium about four hours before game time, had a few cups of coffee and prepared for his major league debut.

In the first inning, he issued a two-out walk to Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria, tossing four straights balls after starting the at-bat with consecutive strikes. He added seven strikeouts as well. But when the opportunity is there, (I’ll) try and take advantage of it and be conscious about trying to be more aggressive.