New York Yankees 5 – Oakland Athletics 1
Building on the three-game winning streak, Tanaka Time took place in Oakland.
While A’s lefty Sean Manaea set the Yankees down in order the first time through the lineup, Masahiro Tanaka was not having it as easy through the first three innings. After a pair of relatively easy innings, the third inning was a little more stressful for Tanaka. After getting the first out Max Muncy and Coco Crisp reached base on a pair of singles before Billy Burns dragged a bunt with him beyond first base for a single that loaded the bases. Tanaka got tougher under pressure by striking out Danny Valencia looking and generating a ground out to end the inning without a run scoring.
The second time through the order for Manaea went in the Yankees favor.
After a leadoff walk of Jacoby Ellsbury, Starlin Castro got on base with an infield single. Mark Teixeira had the productive at-bat by walking to load the bases for Carlos Beltran. On a deflected line drive, Beltran brought home a run with a single to left field. After a shallow fly out to right by Chase Headley, Aaron Hicks managed to get it deep enough to left field for a sacrifice fly, extending the Yankees lead to two. In his first start at the major league level this year, Rob Refsnyder worked a 10-pitch at-bat before hitting a fly ball off the right field wall for a two-run double in the four-run fourth inning.
After a shut down bottom of the fourth by Tanaka, the A’s managed to get on the board in the fifth inning. Facing the bottom of the order, Tanaka walked Matt McBride before Max Muncy added a single. Following a fielder’s choice for the first out, Billy Burns was walked to load the bases. Danny Valencia managed to get the ball deep enough in the outfield for a sacrifice fly, getting the A’s on the board but a strikeout of Khris Davis ended the inning with one run scoring.
Masahiro Tanaka finished his start by retiring the last eight batters he faced. In seven innings, Masahiro Tanaka allowed one run on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
The Yankees added a run in the top of the seventh inning when Starlin Castro hit a double down the left field line, scoring Ronald Torreyes from first base. Nick Goody went two innings of relief, saving the big arms en route to the Yankees fourth win in a row, elevating them out of last place in the American League East.
Win – Masahiro Tanaka (2-0)
Loss – Sean Manaea (1-2)
Notables
Yankees
*Carlos Beltran – 2 for 4, R, RBI (26)
*Starlin Castro – 3 for 5, R, 2B, RBI (17)
Athletics
*Billy Burns – 1 for 3, R, BB
*Max Muncy – 2 for 3
Current Yankees Record: 20-22
