In New York’s home opener, Ernie Clement, a pinch-hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays, broke a tie with a home run off Caleb Ferguson in the seventh inning, securing a 3-0 victory against the Yankees. Clement, who grew up in Rochester, N.Y., admitted his childhood allegiance to the Yankees but expressed satisfaction in defeating them. Despite his limited major league experience, Clement’s decisive homer marked a significant moment, being the first Toronto pinch hitter to take the lead from the seventh inning onward since 2018.
Clement described his approach as straightforward, emphasizing his focus on hitting fastballs to make an impact. Meanwhile, Juan Soto, in his debut with the Yankees, endured a hitless game, reflecting frustration with his performance but expressing accountability for his struggles. The pitching duel between Marcus Stroman and Yusei Kikuchi was notable, with both delivering shutout performances before bullpen intervention.
Despite a sellout crowd, the Yankees’ home opener ended in disappointment, with Giancarlo Stanton continuing his batting struggles. An earthquake before the game didn’t disrupt the proceedings, and Stroman’s solid pitching performance earned cheers from the crowd. However, a ceremonial first pitch mishap from Paul O’Neill drew some jeers from the fans. Additionally, Toronto made roster moves by adding Paolo Espino and designating Wes Parsons for assignment.