NEW YORK — Jose Altuve stepped into the batter’s box, ready to lead off the game. Chants and very loud boos spilled from the stands at Yankee Stadium. But the boos quickly turned to cheers after Jameson Taillon drilled the seven-time All-Star in the elbow guard with his third pitch.
Two batters later, it was Alex Bregman standing in against Taillon. “Cheater” chants filled the air. Bregman gave a pointed response on the second pitch he saw, sending a three-run homer to the leftfield seats.
Hated Houston was back in the Bronx Thursday night to begin a four-game renewal of a raging rivalry. The Yankees have been running away in the East. The Astros have been running away in the West. They may be on course to collide in a third ALCS showdown in six years.
The atmosphere was charged for this series opener, with 44,071 on hand to see it. They saw the Yankees twice rally from three-run deficits, the second time in the ninth. Aaron Hicks hit a tying three-run homer. Aaron Judge then made it a four-run inning with a walk-off single in a 7-6 victory.
The Astros’ sign-stealing scandal from 2017, when they ousted the Yankees in the ALCS, hasn’t been forgotten. The Yankees lost in seven and felt wronged when the trash-can banging scheme at Minute Maid Park came to light.
Houston owner Jim Crane and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman traded barbs just last month. Nor have Yankees fans forgotten. The Yankees’ manager, at least, has moved on.
“To me, it’s past history,” Aaron Boone said before the game, although he did add: “[There’s] a rivalry that certainly exists that has to do with some past things. So I think our guys look forward to that and like playing on the biggest stages against the best teams.”
The Yankees entered the ninth against closer Ryan Pressly with just two hits, both in the first inning off Framber Valdez. They were in a 6-3 hole. But they’re a hard out.
Giancarlo Stanton, who launched a three-run shot in the first, opened with a walk. Gleyber Torres followed and he walked, too. Hicks was next, and he sent a fastball to the right-center bleachers.
After Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled and was thrown out trying to steal, Jose Trevino lined a single to center. Ryne Stank replaced Pressly and fanned Joey Gallo. DJ LeMahieu then worked a full-count walk.
It was Judge’s turn. He lined a singled into left, and that was it.
The game had been a three-run homer parade.
After Bregman delivered his for the Astros (43-26), the Yankees (52-18) struck back in their half of the first.
Valdez walked LeMahieu on four pitches and Judge ripped a single into left. After Anthony Rizzo moved them up with a groundout, Stanton moved them home with his three-run drive to the second deck in right, homer No. 15.
But Taillon, who came in at 8-1 with a 2.70 ERA and was 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA over his previous six starts, wasn’t sharp.
In the third, Altuve was booed, then singled to center, one of his three hits. One out later, Bregman was booed, then reached on an infield single.
Yordan Alvarez lined a changeup into the rightfield seats, homer No. 22. It was 6-3.
Taillon was charged with the six runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings
After his early difficulties, Valdez settled in nicely, retiring 14 straight until issuing a one-out walk to Rizzo in the sixth. But he retired the next two batters to end his night.
