Pineda, Yankees overpower Rays
NEW YORK -- Michael Pineda retired the first 20 hitters and struck out 11 in 7 2/3 electrifying innings as the New York Yankees hit three home runs in an 8-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday.
Pineda (1-1) entered New York's home opener with a 9.82 ERA after not making it past the fourth inning on Wednesday in Tampa Bay. This time, it was drastically different for the inconsistent right-hander, who can dominate but also is prone to giving up the long ball.
Pineda worked quickly and often used off-speed pitches during his seventh career double-digit strikeout game. The crowd began anticipating a perfect game when he ended the fifth by striking out Logan Morrison.
Pineda did not allow any difficult outs until Kevin Kiermaier flied out to left field for the second out of the seventh. Kiermaier's fly ball required Brett Gardner to make a running catch near the foul line.
One pitch later, the perfect game ended when Evan Longoria lined a clean double to left field. Longoria came into the at-bat 6-for-37 lifetime against Pineda and when he reached second base, he tipped his cap toward the right-hander.
After losing the perfect game, Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothchild made a trip to the mound to settle down Pineda, who promptly finished the inning with a strikeout of Brad Miller.
Aaron Judge and Chase Headley hit solo shots off Alex Cobb (1-1), while Starlin Castro slugged a two-run home run in a five-run eighth for the Yankees.
Jacoby Ellsbury and Matt Holliday added run-scoring doubles, while Chris Carter contributed an RBI double.
Logan Morrison homered for the Rays (5-3), who were off to the best seven-game start in team history.
While Pineda was getting fans thinking about history, New York built a 2-0 lead on Ellsbury's RBI double in the third and Judge's long home run in the fourth.
Headley's home run in the seventh staked Pineda to a 3-0 lead before Morrison homered with one out in the eighth.
Pineda recovered by retiring by Derek Norris on a groundout and then exited to a loud standing ovation from the crowd.
The Yankees added insurance in the eighth on Holliday's double, Carter's triple, Castro's home run and a RBI groundout by Ronald Torreyes.
Cobb allowed five runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings.
NOTES: Yankees C Gary Sanchez (strained right biceps), was slated for an MRI exam on Monday. Sanchez said he was feeling a little better and was able to raise his arm. ... It was the second straight time Tampa Bay RHP Alex Cobb was involved in a no-hitter to go past the sixth inning in a game at New York. On Sept. 11, 2014, Cobb took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before the Yankees won, 5-4. ... New York 1B Greg Bird was held out of the lineup to get another day to recover from flu-like symptoms. ... Former Yankee manager Joe Torre, 2B Willie Randolph and 1B Tino Martinez threw out the ceremonial first pitches.