PHOENIX — Luis Gil had a successful outing in his return from Tommy John surgery and the New York Yankees started the season on a five-game winning streak for the first time in 32 years, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 on Monday night.
Anthony Volpe had his first career four-hit game — including two doubles — and an RBI. The Yankees also started the year with five wins in five games in 1933, 1988 and 1992. The 1927 Yankees started 6-0, but also had a tie in their third game.
Gil made his first MLB appearance since May 12, 2022, with an impressive fastball that touched 100 miles per hour.
“He came out firing first batter of the game,” Yankees catcher Austin Wells said. “That was really cool. We were all super pumped for him to be out there.”
The 25-year-old was a surprise addition to the Yankees’ rotation, but manager Aaron Boone said the righty “kicked the door in” with standout performances during spring training. He rewarded that confidence on Monday, giving up one hit through 4 2/3 innings while walking three and striking out six.
The Yankees jumped ahead 2-0 in the second on an RBI single by Oswaldo Cabrera and an RBI double from Gleyber Torres.
“That’s the thing, I feel like as well as we’ve done so far offensively, I also feel like we’re not really rolling yet,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “But we’re putting together tough at-bat after tough at-bat after tough at-bat.”
New York pushed the advantage to 5-0 in the third, taking advantage of two walks and two D-backs errors. Volpe drove in the first run with an RBI single and Austin Wells brought home the second on a sacrifice fly.
The third run of the inning was scored by Volpe, who came around from first on the same sacrifice fly.
Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made an errant throw to home, which allowed Volpe to dash for third. Then pitcher Ryne Nelson, who was backing up home plate, made a poor throw to third that bounced into the outfield, allowing Volpe to score. Gurriel and Nelson both received errors on the play.
That was the end of the night for Nelson (0-1), who surrendered five runs, including four earned, over 2 2/3 innings. He gave up five hits, walked four and struck out two.
“I don’t think it was our finest game,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.
Luke Weaver (1-0) got the win, giving up one run over 2 1/3 innings of relief. Victor González earned his first save with a scoreless ninth.
Arizona’s Ketel Marte had one of the team’s four hits and two RBIs, both on sacrifice flies.
The Yankees opened the season with a four-game sweep over the Houston Astros. All five of their wins have come on the road.
Before the game, the Yankees put right-handed pitcher Jake Cousins on the active roster after acquiring him on Sunday in a trade with the White Sox. To make room on the roster, New York designated left-hander Tanner Tully for assignment.