Jasson Dominguez — aka “The Martian” knicknamed for his otherworldly skills — hit a 2-run homer in this 1st at bat in the Major Leagues, on the 2nd pitch from Yankee nemesis Justin Verlander of all people!
The homer put the Yankees up 3-0 in the 1st inning, DJ LeMahieu having led off the game with a homer. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge added homers in the 3rd and 5th respectively, Stanton a 2-run 433-foot missile that almost broke the enclosing glass structure of Houston’s Minute Maid Stadium, and Judge a 426-foot BOMB to center.
And Austin Wells singled in his 1st at bat in the Major Leagues in the 2nd.
Carlos Rodon pitched 5 solid innings for the win and the Yankee bullpen of Randy Vasquez, Wandy Peralta, and Jonathan Loaisiga pitched well.
What a night for the Yankees!
“I have the ball, and I’m going to give it to my mom,” said Jasson Dominguez afterwards when asked if he had the ball.
NY improves to 66-69, 9.5 behind the Wild Card. Houston falls to 77-59; they hold a Wild Card spot.
1. The Martian Blasts Off!
The story of the game was The Martian — Jasson Dominguez — even before he came up to the plate. With the Yankee season in tatters and the kids called up, there was much expectation all week about The Martian’s first game — which would be Friday night in Houston of all places.
And then in his first at bat — against Verlander of all people — a 2-run homer to left!
Welcome to the Space Jam 🛸👽
Congratulations on your 1st big-league home run, @gonjass7! pic.twitter.com/oVTziNbSlP
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2023
2. LeMahieu HR
DJ LeMahieu preceded The Martian by leading off the game with a homer to right off Verlander.
Leadoff Liftoff for LeMahieu 🚀 pic.twitter.com/ih4DhhUi6P
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2023
3. Wells’ First MLB Hit
In the top of the 2nd, Austin Wells — the high Yankee prospect and catcher of the future — singled in HIS 1st at bat in the bigs. “It was good to check the box in my first AB and after that I was out there just having fun and trying to get my pitch,” said Wells afterwards. “It was amazing. I was excited and had to make sure I looked up, and saw my family — and saw them going crazy — that was really special; really cool.”
Wells done 👏
Congrats on your first major league hit, @wellsius16 pic.twitter.com/B2zceVQb76
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2023
4. Rodon Good
Carlos Rodon, staked to a 3-0 lead before he even took the hill — pitched well. He allowed a solo homer to Jose Abreu leading off the 2nd, and a run in the 3rd when Kyle Tucker hit a 1-out double to drive in Alex Bregman who had walked — but that was it.
He navigated the tough Houston lineup for 5 innings, allowing only 3 hits, the 2 runs, striking out 4 and walking the 1 batter. He gets the win to go 2-4 5.70.
Carlos Rodón, Wicked 87mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/uTAtMF9Eht
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 2, 2023
5. Giancarlo MISSILE
The Yanks, meanwhile, were providing Rodon support, and knocking Justin Verlander around. Aaron Judge led off the 3rd with a single, and 2 batters later, Giancarlo Stanton hit a 433-foot MISSILE that aimed to break the glass structure of Houston’s Minute Maid Stadium. NY 5 Houston 1.
To the window, to the wall. pic.twitter.com/F1FIBWnU7c
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2023
6. Judge BOMB
After Rodon allowed the 2nd Houston run on the Tucker double in the bottom of the 3rd to make it a 5-2 game, Aaron Judge came right back at Houston and Verlander with a MASSIVE 426-foot BOMB to center to lead off the 5th. It was Judge’s 30th homer of the year (despite missing 2 months with the toe injury) and 250th of his career — becoming the fastest player to 250 homers in games played. NY 6 Houston 2.
Go for launch. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/7PDV4EAJQf
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2023
7. Bullpen Good
Randy Vasquez came out to pitch the 6th — and pitched Great. He threw 2 shutout innings — the 6th and 7th. He got into a little trouble in the 6th with a hit-by-pitch and 2-out single, but got the final out, and then threw a 1-2-3 inning in the 7th — striking out the last 2 batters he faced.
Wandy Peralta came in to pitch the 8th as lefties were due up. He got Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker in between walking Yordon Alvarez — and was relieved by Jonathan Loaisiga who got the final out of the inning.
Loiasiga pitched a shutout 9th — a 1-2-3 inning for the old ballgame.
The Boxscore
https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401473036
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