ARLINGTON, Texas —
Leiter got the win after allowing only one run over five innings. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out four, walked one and allowed five singles. The second overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and son of former big leaguer Al Leiter made his big league debut last season, going 0-3 with an 8.83 ERA in nine games (six starts).
“Honestly, just winning’s nice,” Leiter responded when asked if a burden had been lifted.
After Leiter got done throwing in the outfield before Thursday’s game, a ball hit by teammate Josh Jung struck him on the head.
“That was a memorable Opening Day, probably not for the right reason,” Leiter said with a grin.
In the second inning of his season debut, after Leiter made his first Opening Day roster, Boston had a couple of runners on base in the second inning following a walk when catcher Jonah Heim went out to talk with him.
As Heim approached the mound, he tossed the ball at the same time Leiter put his head down.
“Hey, it made him laugh,” Heim said.
“Just tough timing, honestly,” Leiter said. “I guess he thought I was looking, but I thought he wasn’t going to throw the ball at that point.”
After the batterymates shared a laugh, Leiter got out of the inning without allowing a run. He got help from Wyatt Langford‘s running and lunging catch of Connor Wong‘s liner to deep left.
Heim hit two solo homers, the second coming in the bottom of the fifth for a 2-1 lead after Leiter had thrown the last of his 82 pitches. Five Texas relievers then finished off the victory with four scoreless innings.
“This was his day. … That was really fun to watch,” Leiter said of Heim.
“It’s good to get Jack a win. Good stuff,” Bochy said. “Just a great job, keeping his poise out there, and I’m sure the nerves were going on his first start out there.”
