Toronto Blue Jays 1 — New York Yankees 3
Masahiro Tanaka continues to be one of the best pitchers in the game.
In the first start for Masahiro Tanaka, he faced the Toronto Blue Jays. The first major league start for Tanaka started the worst way a pitcher could want it, a leadoff home run. Tonight was the second time he faced an opponent for the second time. Unfortunately for Tanaka, it started the same way. On the first pitch by Tanaka to Jose Reyes, the Blue Jays shortstop put it into the right field seats for a leadoff home run.
The good news for the Yankees is the home run was the only bump in the road. After the first inning, the Yankees rookie allowed two hits through the rest of his start. Still, one run could still defeat the best if the offense does not back up their pitcher.
After two hitless innings for the Yankees against rookie Marcus Stroman, the third inning would see the tide of the game shift. A one-out double would open the door for Brett Gardner to give the Yankees the lead. Gardner would jump on a hanging inside pitch and pulled it just fair as it hit the netting of the right field foul pole. Brett Gardner’s sixth home run of the season gave Tanaka the lead.
Through the game, Tanaka would do what he does. He would strike out the side in the fifth inning, three of his 10 strikeouts on the night. Over six innings, Masahiro Tanaka would allow one run on five hits while walking two. The 10 strikeouts gives him 113 on the season, inching closer to the American League leader. What he does lead the league with is his 1.99 ERA.
The expectations of Masahiro Tanaka may have not been high enough.
The Yankees would manufacture an insurance run in the fifth inning but Tanaka and the two arms called on in the bullpen would make the two runs stand. After Tanaka pitched six innings, Dellin Betances got the call. After a scoreless seventh inning with one strikeout, he would also get the eighth inning through the heart of the Blue Jays order. Much like a Spring Training game this season, Betances would strike out Jose Bautista swinging and Edwin Encarnacion looking. Brett Lawrie would make contact but a simple ground out is all the Blue Jays third baseman can brag about.
For the ninth inning, David Robertson got the call for his 17th save of the season. After a ground out and a strike out, second baseman Munenori Kawasaki would hit a falling line drive to left field where Brett Gardner slid and missed the ball. With Gardner retreating to get the ball, Kawasaki would reach third on a triple but he would be stranded there. Anthony Gose would strike out looking to end the game and help the Yankees inch closer in the American League East.
Win – Masahiro Tanaka (11-1)
Loss – Marcus Stroman (3-2)
Save – David Robertson (17)
Notables
Blue Jays
*Jose Reyes – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (5) in the 1st, RBI (19)
*Juan Francisco – 1 for 3, BB, 2B
Yankees
*Brett Gardner – 1 for 4, R, 2-Run Home Run (6) in the 3rd, 2 RBI (28)
*Kelly Johnson – 2 for 3, R, 2B
Current Yankees Record: 36-33
