Kevin Cash compares Yankees' Loaisiga to Mariano Rivera after MLB debut

In his big-league debut, Jonathan Loaisiga stymied the Tampa Bay Rays' offense, holding their batters to three hits over five shutout frames on Friday, and his opponent showered the New York Yankees right-hander with praise afterward.

"He looked like a young Mariano Rivera," Rays manager Kevin Cash said, following the 5-0 loss at Yankee Stadium, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

"That's a big compliment right there," the 23-year-old Loaisiga responded through an interpreter. "Mariano is one of the best all time, a superstar of the sport. It's humbling for him to say something like that."

Over five innings, Loaisiga struck out six while allowing three hits and four walks. The free passes were uncharacteristic for the rookie, who has rarely issued walks during his minor-league career.

"I think (that walks were) a case of him maybe going for some chase pitches that in the Minor Leagues probably tend to get chased," Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said. "Whereas up here, they're probably a little more disciplined."

Boone was less interested in comparing his rookie starter to a legend of the sport, telling Hoch he's "not going to get into those comparisons."

Rivera, affectionately referred to as "Mo," spent 19 seasons in the majors, all with the Yankees. The legendary reliever retired following the 2013 campaign as baseball's all-time saves leader but began his career by making 10 starts in 1995. Rivera was converted to the bullpen full-time by September and never made another start.

Loaisiga earned a promotion from Double-A Trenton when the Yankees' rotation was suddenly depleted by injuries to Jordan Montgomery and Masahiro Tanaka. Over 25 innings with the Thunder, Loaisiga posted a 4.32 ERA and 3.29 FIP, striking out 11.5 per nine innings.