KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Jose Altuve and Dallas Keuchel got off to neat spring starts for the Houston Astros in a 9-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday.

Altuve, the major league batting champion, made his exhibition debut and hit a leadoff single that began a three-run first inning against Scott Baker. Chris Carter drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double.

Keuchel, who went 12-9 with a 2.93 ERA and an AL-leading five complete games last season, gave up one hit. He struck out one and walked one.

Minor leaguers Ramon Flores, Jake Cave and Greg Bird homered in the late innings for the Yankees.

New York rallied for six runs in the ninth. Rob Refsnyder’s two-out, bases-loaded single put the Yankees ahead.

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