The New York Yankees aren’t used to someone outbidding them, so the fans made it an unpleasant return for Robinson Cano, playing against his former team for the first time  as a Seattle Mariners player, helping his team come up with a 6-3 on a very rainy day.

Cano was “low-balled” by the Yankees, as the offer given to him by the Mariners had $65 million more in it. He has been doing pretty well on his new team, winning four of their last five (11-14) with Cano hitting a .296. He had one-RBI via grounding out, his 12th of the season, to help the Mariners start their scoring run in the game, and his only hit (1-for-5) later on was rewarded by him coming home for a run thanks to some excellent pinch hitting from Dustin Ackley.

The Yankees actually held the 2-0 lead heading into the fifth: Mark Teixeira hit his 3rd home run of the season, followed by a bad throw from Mike Zunino (having a great day at the plate with 4-for-5) that allowed Brian Roberts to score. The next time the Yankees scored was in the ninth inning off of Brett Gardner’s bat, but it came after six consecutive runs for the Mariners, taking the first game in the series.

Yankees fans tried to be as loud as possible for the moments Cano went to bat. He struck out twice which made everyone in the stadium happy, but the Yankees didn’t get enough offense to deal with another mediocre pitching performance from Sabathia (3-3, 5.11 ERA), allowing nine hits in five innings , giving up four runs. The man who replaced him, Dellin Betances, didn’t do much better, as the Yankees gave up at least two hits from each of their pitchers.

Chris Young was on the mound for the Mariners, claiming the win through 5.2 innings, allowing only 3 hits and striking out three more. Things got a little bit shaky at the end as Fernando Rodney allowed three hits in the ninth inning but he struck out three batters before things got really complicated, giving the Mariners a positive opening to their three-game series in the Bronx.

It’s incredible to hear Yankee fans yelling at Cano that he sold out for taking more money elsewhere. The team that annually (although not this season) outspends everyone when it comes to players’ salary sometimes loses on a big time player. But fans don’t see it that way, no matter what team they’re cheering for. What’s the difference between $180 million and $240 million? Turns out it’s enough to make someone switch alliances, and at lest for his homecoming, be on the winning side.

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