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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Masahiro Tanaka #19 of the New York Yankees reacts after the final out in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 13, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Yankees game 142: Tanaka silences the Jays

Toronto Blue Jays 0 – New York Yankees 5

Looking to avoid the sweep, Masahiro Tanaka established the title of ace.

Through the first inning, Masahiro Tanaka and R.A. Dickey pitched a scoreless inning, including an impressive catch by Kevin Pillar diving away from the play in center field. In the second inning, the Yankees began their rally with the assistance of Dickey. After Brian McCann walked, Alex Rodriguez hit a single and Chase Headley walked to load the bases with no outs. Dustin Ackley hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field, scoring McCann from third on the sacrifice fly and Alex Rodriguez advanced to third on the play. The advance by Rodriguez was huge when Didi Gregorius hit a fly ball to shallow right center field. Pillar made the catch and threw home to get the charging Rodriguez but the throw was just late enough for Rodriguez to score to put the Yankees ahead by two.

After the Yankees were retired in order in the third inning, Chase Headley started a two-out rally in the fourth inning. Following the base hit, Dustin Ackley hit his first home run as a Yankee, a two-run home run that put the Yankees ahead by four.

While the Yankees were putting runs on the board, Masahiro Tanaka was in command of the Blue Jays. Following the one-out double in the second inning by Kevin Pillar, Tanaka proceeded to pick him off of first base and striking out Ryan Goins. Including the two outs there, Tanaka retired 14 of the next 15 batters he faced. He allowed a double to Chris Colabello in the seventh inning but retired the next two batters to end the inning.

In seven innings, Masahiro Tanaka allowed no runs on four hits without a walk and seven strikeouts. That is the pitching line of an ace and stopper of losing streaks.

R.A. Dickey held the Yankees relatively silent following the Ackley home run in the fourth inning. He gave up two hits to Ackley and Gregorius in the seventh inning but they were stranded on pop ups by Stephen Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury.

In the eighth inning, Dellin Betances struck out the side with filthy breaking balls. Following the scoreless inning, Carlos Beltran hit a one-out single. He was replaced on the bases by the speedy Rico Noel and with two outs, Alex Rodriguez hit a ringing double into the left field corner that was just deep enough for Noel to score with a slide into home.

The five-run lead gave the Yankees enough wiggle room to let some of the minor league call-ups to take on the ninth inning.

Lefty James Pazos and righty Caleb Cotham combined to finish off the ninth inning for the Yankees to prevent the sweep by the Blue Jays and finish a tough four-game series on a winning note.

 

Win – Masahiro Tanaka (12-6)

Loss – R.A. Dickey (10-11)

 

Notables

Blue Jays

*Jose Bautista – 1 for 4, 2B

*Kevin Pillar – 1 for 3, 2B

Yankees

*Dustin Ackley – 2 for 2, R, Two-run home run (7) in the 4th, 3 RBI (22)

*Alex Rodriguez – 2 for 4, R, 2B, RBI (81)

 

Current Yankees Record: 78-64