Gumby's Return, Homers Lead Yanks Past Scum In Home Opener

Finally, on July 31, the Coronavirus-delayed home opener for the New York Yankees. And against The Scum, the Boston Red Sox, no less.

The teams went through most of the motions of a traditional opener. There was red, white and blue bunting hung around Yankee Stadium II. The starting lineups were announced, and the players stood on the foul lines, although not the entire teams -- "social distancing," and all that. Suzyn Waldman sang the National Anthem. CC Sabathia threw out the ceremonial first ball. And there was a ceremony honoring health care workers -- complete with both teams, and even their owners (Hal Steinbrenner and John W. Henry) hitting trash can lids with bats. (A swipe at the Houston Astros, maybe?)

The game was scoreless until the top of the 3rd inning. Michael Chavis hit a home run of Jordan Montgomery to make it 1-0 to the Bad Guys. But in the bottom of the inning, DJ LeMahieu got aboard, and Aaron Judge hit yet another homer to make it 2-1 to the Good Guys. Gio Urshela added a homer in the 45th. Brett Gardner, who had gotten off to a terrible start at the plate, iced the game with a homer in the 8th.

Montgomery, known as "Gumby," hadn't pitched since May 1, 2018, due to Tommy John surgery and complications, but he pitched into the 6th inning, and, aside from the Chavis homer, was exceptional. Aaron Boone took him out, probably because he'd thrown 81 pitches, and Boone didn't want to overdo it in Montgomery's 1st start back.

Chad Green, Adam Ottavino and Jonathan Holder went the rest of the way, with the only baserunner being a walk by Holder. Yankees 5, Red Sox 1. WP: Montgomery (1-0). No save. LP: Ryan Weber (0-2).

The tams play again tonight, with Masahiro Tanaka making his injury-delayed season debut, and Zack Godley starting for Boston. Come on you Pinstripes: Beat The Scum!

The Mets blew a 10-2 lead last night, and lost to the Atlanta Braves 11-10. A familiar story for Met fans: They win on Opening Day, and think this is the year they're finally going to take New York back from the Yankees. And then, at the end of July, their team is revealed to stink. The Coronavirus hasn't changed that.