Greene Comes Up Big in 1st Career Start as Yankees Take Opener 5-3

Going into his first career start tonight, what Shane Greene would do was a complete mystery.

The 25-year-old prospect, who threw the ball pretty well back in Spring Training, came into the contest on a 13-inning scoreless streak, something that didn't matter to some due to his struggles in Boston a few months ago.

Luckily for the Yankees, Greene ended up making the better possibility come true, tossing 6 frames of two-run ball as the Yanks beat the Indians 5-3.

Going into the contest's top of the second, the Bombers had reason to be nervous after watching Greene hit the second man he faced, but thanks to a three-run performance highlighted by a Brian Roberts double, a Brett Gardner single, and a Derek Jeter walk in that at-bat the youngster seemed to settle down.

From then until two outs in the fifth, Greene was putting up a no-hitter, a would-be amazing feat broken up by ex-Pinstripe Nick Swisher, who homered on a 3-1 fastball to make it 5-1.

Still, the #61-wearing rookie ended up having a great night, allowing just four hits while walking none and striking out two.

As for his counterpart Justin Masterson (2+ IP, 5 ER), things weren't nearly as pretty, with Cleveland's ace not only allowing the aforementioned runs in the second but also two more in the third, when Ichiro beat out an infield single with men on the corners and Francisco Cervelli hit into a fielder's choice. 

Masterson's struggles, though early, were all the Bombers would end up needing in the contest, thanks largely to Dellin Betances converting a six-out save in the eighth and ninth.

In his outing, Betances wasn't necessarily dominant, although he did throw well enough to seal the W, the main reason he was out there in the first place.