Burns started his debut with a strikeout of Yankees leadoff hitter Trent Grisham, who swung and missed badly at a sweeping slider that finished behind his back knee. The first two strikes were 98 and 100 mph fastballs that Grisham watched without offering a swing.

"We talked about not really knowing what to expect in a Major League debut," Barry Larkin said. "How about some dominance in the 1st inning!"

Reds rookie Chase Burns became the first pitcher in the expansion era to strike out the first five batters he faced, but the Yankees ultimately tagged him for three runs in his MLB debut.