Yankees 3, Rangers 1: Nathan Eovaldi took a no-hitter to the seventh inning

The Yankees kicked this road trip off the right way as Nathan Eovaldi took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, but the Yankees still squeaked out the win.

Cole Hamels was supposed to get the start for the Rangers tonight, but a strained groin muscle left him sidelined. This was a rather lucky break for the Yankees, who got to face Cesar Ramos instead. The offense continued to struggle with runners in scoring position tonight, going 1-for-9 on the night with eight runners left on base. They even loaded the bases with one out in the second inning, but nothing came of that.

Jacoby Ellsbury finally put the Yankees on the board in the top of the third inning with a home run to right center, his first of the year. After Carlos Beltran worked a walk, Mark Teixeira brought him home on a double to deep center field, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead. The Yankees added their final run of the game in the sixth inning after Starlin Castro hit a lead-off home run.

This was by far Eovaldi's best start of the season and his stuff definitely looked nasty tonight. In the second inning, Prince Fielder reached on a fielding error by Didi Gregorius after he booted the ball. Headed into the seventh inning, the only other Ranger to reach base at that point was Nomar Mazara, who worked a walk. It was also Mazara who broke up the no-hitter after he hit a single through the left side. Prince Fielder doubled to right fielder Dustin Ackley for the second hit of the night. For the record, it was apparent that Ackley did not have much experience out there.

Eovaldi came back out for the eighth inning, but he was removed from the game after issuing a walk to Mitch Moreland. Through seven innings, he struck out six batters, walked two batters and gave up two hits. The Yankees couldn't have asked for much more than that. It was a bummer to see him miss out on the no-hitter, but it was still a great outing.

Dellin Betances took over for Eovaldi in the eighth inning, and got two quick outs after Elvis Andrus grounded into a double play. Coming into the game, Betances was still working with a 0.00 ERA, but that ended tonight after Brett Nicholas hit a home run just over the wall in right. Andrew Miller still has his 0.00 ERA after he worked a clean inning to pick up the save.

The second game of this series will take place tomorrow at 8:05 EST when Luis Severino takes the mound against A.J. Griffin.

Box score.