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Preview: Old Timers Day 2014

 (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Masahiro Tanaka (11-1, 1.99 ERA) will go for his 12th win of the year on Old Timers Day against Chris Tillman (5-4, 4.82 ERA) in the rubber match. Tanaka’s first pitch his last time out against Toronto was a homer, after that he settled down. He allowed five hits over six innings, striking out 10 and earned his MLB leading 11th win. “Overall I think my stuff wasn’t really there tonight,” he said. “I just try to hang in there and try to keep the ball down as much as possible.”

Tillman’s first start of June lasted just one inning. In two starts since then, he has given up just four runs in 13 innings. However, he has lost each of those games. “Not good enough, but I was able to make some pitches and command the fastball a little bit later in the game,” Tillman said after a loss to Toronto on June 15th. “Like I said, it was good, not good enough.”

CC Sabathia will head down to Tampa on Sunday to continue his throwing program after a good pen session on Saturday. “This is the time to test it,” Sabathia said. “I will when I’m down there in Tampa. It’s not just rehab, I really need to test and see if I can do it.” He said he will wear a brace for the rest of the season and has been working to strengthen his quad and calf to relieve pressure from his hips. “I think we’ve done a good job of that the past six, eight weeks,” Sabathia said. “I feel better now that I have a little light at the end of the tunnel where I can see hopefully getting back out there healthy.”

 

Notes on the game

Tanaka is 5-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his last five starts. The Yankees are 12-2 in games he has started this season.

J.J. Hardy hit his first home run of the season during Saturday’s win.

 

Festivities kick off at 11:00 AM. First pitch at 2:05 PM on Yes