HOUSTON — The Yankees are developing a formula for success early on. It’s about getting behind early, going to the Astros’ bullpen, and then letting Oswaldo Cabrera and Juan Soto work their magic.
The two-man wrecking crew of Cabrera and Soto was only half expected to make such a daily impact, but they did it again Saturday night, leading the Yankees to a come-from-behind victory for their third straight victory. He led the team to open the season.
Cabrera hit his second game-tying home run in three days, a two-run homer off Astros reliever Brian Abreu in the seventh inning, before Soto hit Abreu deep into the opposite field for the game-winning shot. He made the decision and led the Yankees to victory. They won 5-3 at Minute Maid Park.
Anthony Volpe added his first home run of the year off reliever Ryan Pressley in the eighth inning, extending the Yankees’ lead and helping seal the series victory heading into Sunday’s final game.
Of the 17 points the Yankees scored in the first three games of this series, 13 came from the Astros’ bullpen.
After Marcus Stroman let down his defense (including his own defense) in his strong debut with the Yankees, a late offensive outburst saved the day.
The Yankees committed three errors, one by Stroman, and all three runs scored in six innings against right-handed pitchers were unearned.
Still, Stroman struck out Jeremy Pena on his 101st and final pitch of the night, leaving Alex Bregman at third base and putting the Yankees down 3-1.
The seventh inning rally began again with a patient bat from Austin Wells.
The rookie catcher was down 0-2 to Abreu, but he drew a walk on four fastballs.
Cabrera came next, and with a one-two, he drove a 97 mph inside fastball into the right field seats and out of reach of Kyle Tucker against the wall.
Three batters later, Soto hit a rising line drive to Crawford Boxes in the left field seats for his first home run as a Yankee, giving him a 4-3 lead.
The Yankees’ bullpen then slammed the door with Ian Hamilton for two innings and Clay Holmes for one, continuing their strong start to the season with 11 2/3 shutout innings.
