Miami’s Yamamoto dazzles Cards in big-league debut
Miami pitcher Jordan Yamamoto had dropped down a successful suicide-squeeze bunt and was on his way back to the dugout when he stopped at the plate to pick up his bat, beating the batboy to the task.
Yamamoto did it all Wednesday, earning an RBI and pitching seven innings to win his majorleague debut, and the Marlins broke a six-game losing streak, beating the Cardinals 9-0 in Miami.
Garrett Cooper hit a grand slam and was a double shy of the cycle. That was more than enough support for Yamamoto, acquired last year from the Brewers in the Christian Yelich trade.
The 23-year-old Hawaiian right-hander limited St. Louis to three hits and two walks.
“At first, I was really nervous,” Yamamoto said. “But once I got the first guy out, I kind of calmed down.”
Yamamoto topped out at only 93 mph but changed speeds and threw strikes.
“He’s a fun guy to watch,” manager Don Mattingly said. “I’m sure if he goes to a tryout, the scouts are looking at this guy and you’re probably not signing him. But he can add and subtract . ... He’s unpredictable.”
Yamamoto was called up from Double-A Jacksonville to sub for Jose Ureña, who went on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain.
Yamamoto enjoyed an early lead, thanks to Cooper, who pulled a two-out inside fastball off the plate for a grand slam in the second inning off Miles Mikolas (4-7).
When Yamamoto got his first strikeout, the PA system played the “Hawaii Five-0” theme. He wore No. 50.
Brewers 6, Astros 3: Mike Moustakas’ two-run homer in the 14th inning was the big hit for visiting Milwaukee, spoiling a stellar outing by Houston’s Justin Verlander: seven innings, 15 strikeouts, four hits — but three solo homers. Cubs 10, Rockies 1: Cole Hamels struck out nine in seven scoreless innings, singled twice and drove in two runs to lead Chicago in a testy game in Denver. Rockies All-Star third-baseman Nolan Arenado left in the fifth inning with a left forearm contusion after Hamels hit him with a pitch in the third, and three more batters — including Hamels — were hit by pitches. Reds 7, Indians 2: Rookie Nick Senzel and Joey Votto hit back-to-back home runs to open the game and Cincinnati later got deep shots from Eugenio Suárez and Curt Casali to help beat Cleveland. Red Sox 4, Rangers 3: Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning, giving host Boston a win over Texas. Andrew Benintendi hit a triple and two doubles, driving in two runs for the Red Sox. Mariners 9, Twins 6: Seattle’s Dee Gordon scored on one of host Minnesota’s three errors in the 10th inning. The AL Central-leading Twins had five errors for the game. Braves 8, Pirates 7: Ozzie Albies doubled in the bottom of the 11th inning to score Austin Riley for Atlanta. Josh Bell hit a solo homer in the top of the ninth, putting Pittsburgh up 7-6, before Riley did the same in the bottom of the inning to tie it. Blue Jays 8, Orioles 6: Rowdy Tellez hit a grand slam to cap a six-run fifth inning, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits and visiting Toronto ended a five-game losing streak. D’backs 2, Phillies 0: Merrill Kelly tossed three-hit ball over 72⁄3 innings for visiting Arizona. Tigers 3, Royals 2: Brandon Dixon broke an eighth-inning tie with a sacrifice fly for visiting Detroit. Jorge Soler drove in both Kansas City runs but flied out with a runner on to end the game. Briefly: The Blue Jays placed closer Ken Giles on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation . ... Right-hander Mike Clevinger, who strained a muscle in his upper back on April 7, will start Monday when Cleveland opens a four-game series at Texas . ... The Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton homered twice in a minor league rehab game with Class A Tampa. He hasn’t played for the Yankees since March 31 but is expected to join Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre this weekend and could be back in the big leagues next week.