Jordan Montgomery's debut was nearly perfect.
The 22-year-old lefthander struck out six and didn't allow a hit or walk in 6 2/3 innings during his first start with Yankees' Single-A Advanced affiliate Tampa on Wednesday in Game 2 of a doubleheader. Montgomery (4-3, 2.32 ERA) hit a batter and allowed one unearned run.
Montgomery, a fourth-round selection in the 2014 draft, retired the first 18 batters he faced. He lost the shot at a perfect game when James reached second base on shortstop Tyler Wade's throwing error to lead off the seventh. Montgomery followed with a wild pitch that moved James to third and then allowed a one-out sacrifice fly that scored James with the tying run.