Masahiro Tanaka (3-1, 2.76 ERA) gets the honors of facing off against Max Scherzer (6-4, 1.85 ERA) and the Nationals in game one of two at the stadium. Tanaka came off the DL to hold the Mariners to one run on three hits through seven innings and nine K’s. He has a 1.53 ERA in four career Interleague games. He is the first Yankees pitcher since 1914 to pitch at least six innings and not allow more than three hits and one run in each of his last three starts.
As we’ve said, his average velocity has been the same, it’s just maybe he hasn’t hit the 95, 96. I’m sure he feels good about it, and he feels better that he knows it’s there, but his average velocity was pretty similar. -Joe Girardi
Scherzer gave up four runs on six hits (two homers) through six innings against the Blue Jays. Despite giving up the runs, his ERA is still under 2.00. No Yankee bat is hitting above .250 against Scherzer. Stephen Drew has the most at bats with 14 and is hitting .143. Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira are both hitting .250 with 13 and 10 at bats respectively. Alex Rodriquez is 1-10 off the Cy Young winner and that one left the yard.
Tidbits:
This will be Bryce Harper’s first game at Yankee Stadium.
ARod is nine hits away from 3,000.
The Yanks have won six in a row.
7:05 pm on Yes.
