Montgomery impresses in debut as Yanks rally past Rays 8-4

NEW YORK (AP) — Jordan Montgomery got to Yankee Stadium about four hours before game time, had a few cups of coffee and prepared for his major league debut.

To get the nerves out of his system, the 24-year-old visited the ballpark a day earlier and tossed a ball across the near-empty field to bullpen catcher Radley Haddad.

Mongtomery pitched before a far larger crowd Wednesday, one that included proud parents Raury and Jim.

Judge's sixth-inning RBI single against Jumbo Diaz (0-1) — measured at 116.5 mph off the bat — tied the score 3-3, and the Yankees had runners at the corners and when Brett Gardner hit a one-out comebacker.

Xavier Cedeno fielded the ball and turned toward second, hoping to start an inning-ending double play but forgetting the infield was in and no one was covering the base.

Gardner passed a concussion protocol, was diagnosed with a bruised jaw and a strained neck.

In an attempt to create comfort, the Yankees gave 26-year-old Kyle Higashioka his first big league start after 10 minor league seasons.

Blake Snell allowed a pair of unearned runs and two hits in 4 2/3 innings .

Yankees: RHP James Kaprielian, the 16th overall draft pick in 2015, could be headed to Tommy John surgery after an evaluation by Dr. Neil ElAttrache.

After being sidelined by a sore right ankle and a stomach ailment, he was benched against a left-handed starter.