New York Yankees 4 — Seattle Mariners 2
When Masahiro Tanaka starts, you generally expect the Yankees to win.
Tonight was one of those nights. Through the first three innings, Masahiro Tanaka faced the minimum and produced six ground outs of the first nine batters. The first hit would come in the fourth inning on a single by center fielder James Jones. There would be a second hit in the inning but Tanaka would bear down and get a strikeout to end the inning.
In the sixth inning, Tanaka would get his 100th strikeout of the season. From the third inning to the sixth inning, Tanaka would strike out nine of his 12 outs. Even when Tanaka allowed baserunners he generated two double plays in the seventh and eighth innings.
The Yankees still have to score for Tanaka to win. In the third inning, Brian Roberts led off with a single. Brett Gardner would walk and after Jeter failed to get down his signature bunt, Jacoby Ellsbury would extend his hitting streak to 15 games and giving the Yankees the one run lead with a single to center.
In the fifth inning, Mark Teixeira would provide some insurance with a three-run home run, his 11th home run of the season. This was more than enough as Tanaka was clearly on his A(ce) game.
Going for the complete game shutout, Tanaka would give up an infield single that second baseman Brian Roberts probably should have gotten the out. The single would come around to score on a two-run home run by Robinson Cano.
That sits well with Yankees fans.
Masahiro Tanaka would settle down and evidently get pumped up, striking out the next two for 11 strikeouts on the night. In nine innings, Masahiro Tanaka allowed two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out 11. There’s no way around it, the Yankees have an ace and his name is Masahiro Tanaka.
Win – Masahiro Tanaka (10-1)
Loss – Chris Young (5-4)
Notables
Yankees
*Mark Teixeira – 1 for 3, R, BB, 3-Run Home Run (11) in the 5th, 3 RBI (30)
*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 4, R, BB, RBI (27)
Mariners
*Robinson Cano – 1 for 4, R, 2-Run Home Run (3) in the 9th, 2 RBI (35)
*James Jones – 2 for 4, R
Current Yankees Record: 33-31
