NEW YORK – Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer, Zoilo Almonte connected in his first start of the season and the New York Yankees went deep five times Saturday for a 7-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Brett Gardner and Alfonso Soriano also homered off a struggling Edinson Volquez to back five scoreless innings from David Phelps (1-0). Brian McCann added a two-run drive in the eighth against reliever Vin Mazzaro as New York won for only the second time in its past eight home games.
Coming off consecutive road shutouts against the crosstown rival Mets, the Yankees took their third straight following a four-game slide.
Starling Marte homered and had three hits in his return to the starting lineup for the Pirates, winless at Yankee Stadium since Harvey Haddix pitched them to a 5-2 victory in Game 5 of the 1960 World Series.
Volquez (1-4) gave up six hits — four homers — and no walks in 6 1-3 innings, dropping to 0-4 in his last five starts.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.