Mets' Yates pitches six scoreless in debut

By Adam Rubin
Special to The Advertiser

Tyler Yates got a no-decision in the Mets' 3-2 victory in 11 innings over Montreal. Associated Press

"When I got off the bus, it felt like home," said Yates, a 1995 Kaua'i High School graduate, who made his big-league debut last night. "It was humid. It was nice. And kind of the shape of the stadium is like a place back home in college where I pitched, Hawai'i-Hilo (1996-98)."

Yates, a 26-year-old right-hander, carried that comfort level to the mound. He tossed six scoreless innings of five-hit ball and handed a two-run lead to the bullpen, but failed to get his first win when Mike Stanton and Braden Looper could not hold it. The Mets beat the Montreal Expos, 3-2, in 11 innings.

"It happens," Yates said of the blown save that cost him a victory.

Said Mets manager Art Howe: "That's the only downside to the whole night that he didn't get a win."

Yates' family remained on Kaua'i — the 15-hour flight too lengthy — though it will join him in New York next week. Instead, about 20 family members and friends watched the game via satellite on three televisions at the bar at his father Gary's restaurant, Poipu Beach Broiler. Curious customers joined in the celebration, too.

"I was a lot more nervous than he was," the elder Yates said. "He has a lot of poise and maturity."

Yates entered spring training as a long shot to make the rotation. But his 0.64 ERA entering the final day of Grapefruit League action — when he allowed seven runs to the Expos after securing a roster spot — opened eyes. His power arm adds a different look to a starting rotation that last season had three of the top six pitchers in fewest strikeouts among NL starters with 180 innings.

"He had to pitch the way he did to have a chance," Howe said about Yates' spring. "All he did is come in and pound the strike zone and pitch tough."