Toronto Blue Jays prospect Alek Manoah produced six scoreless innings in a history-making MLB debut against the New York Yankees on Thursday.
Manoah was scheduled to make his highly anticipated bow on Wednesday, but those plans were pushed back a day due to the forecast of inclement weather in New York midweek.
In the opening game of a doubleheader, Manoah dominated the Yankees with six innings of two-hit ball as the Blue Jays won 2-0 behind back-to-back homers from Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette.
Manoah struck out seven batters and walked two as he became the only pitcher in Blue Jays history with six-plus scoreless innings and seven or more strikeouts on debut.
The 23-year-old also became the second Blue Jays starting pitcher to throw six scoreless innings in his debut after Mauro Gozzo in 1989.
"I just want to take it all in, and just really enjoy the moment," Manoah said. "Obviously. there's another outing in five days, so I got to get ready for that, but just for today, just want to hug my whole family and I think that's what I'm going to enjoy the most ,is how many people came out to see me, called off [work] sick, made excuses whatever the case may be.
"They made sure to be here, so I think that's what I'll remember the most."
Toronto lost the second game 5-3 as Aaron Judge's two-run homer inspired the Yankees in the American League (AL) East showdown.
Bassitt's two-hitter lifts A's
Chris Bassitt tossed a gem as the Oakland Athletics blanked the Los Angeles Angels 5-0. A's ace Bassitt pitched a two-hitter for his first career complete game. Bassitt struck out nine and walked one.
World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted rivals the San Francisco Giants 4-3 behind Max Muncy's solo homer in the sixth inning. It snapped the Giants' seven-game road winning streak.
Orioles lose… again
The Baltimore Orioles' skid continued following a 5-1 loss at the hands of the high-flying Chicago White Sox. Baltimore have now lost 10 consecutive games.
Baez's magic act
Javier Baez produced a stunning moment of magic to help the Chicago Cubs trump the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3. With two outs in the top of the third inning, Baez appeared stranded after grounding to Erik Gonzalez. The throw to first base was wide but a tag to Baez was readied. That prompted Baez to retreat to home plate. Pittsburgh made a mess of the situation as Willson Contreras rounded third in the meantime before Baez taking off for first plate and eventually second following another wild throw.
Thursday's results
Washington Nationals 5-3 Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds 3-0 Washington Nationals
New York Mets 1-0 Colorado Rockies
New York Mets 4-2 Colorado Rockies
Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Miami Marlins
Chicago Cubs 5-3 Pittsburgh Pirates
Cleveland Indians 5-2 Detroit Tigers
Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 San Diego Padres
Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 Kansas City Royals
Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 New York Yankees
New York Yankees 5-3 Toronto Blue Jays
Chicago White Sox 5-1 Baltimore Orioles
Oakland Athletics 5-0 Los Angeles Angels
St Louis Cardinals 5-4 Arizona Diamondbacks
Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 San Francisco Giants
Seattle Mariners 5-0 Texas Rangers
Angels at Athletics
The Angels (22-28) and Athletics (30-22) will lock horns again in Oakland on Friday. Two-way Angels star Shohei Ohtani will take to the mound after being scratched from his scheduled start on Thursday due to traffic, which prevent him from making it in time to the ballpark for his regular pre-game routine. The A's counter with Sean Manaea.