Behind another brilliant performance by Masahiro Tanaka, the New York Yankees took game one of three against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays.
- New York Yankees 6: 43-37
- Masahiro Tanaka: 6-7, 5.56 ERA
- Toronto Blue Jays 3: 37-44
- Marcus Stroman: 8-4, 3.41 ERA
When they absolutely had to have it, the New York Yankees received exactly what they needed from ace Masahiro Tanaka in a (6-3) Game 1 win over Toronto. Although Blue Jays’ starter Marcus Stroman pitched an effective ball game, his offense couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain and was held mostly silent throughout.
Tanaka was dominantly brilliant tonight, getting ahead with strike one and never really having to toss any really stressful pitches during his outstanding outing. Terrific Tanaka left to begin the eighth, after tossing seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits with only one walk and eight strikeouts.
#StartSpreadingTheNews Tanaka ⏱ was ?, ✊? drives in 3, ⚔ reaches base twice.
FINAL: Yankees 6, Blue Jays 3.
VOTE #SirDidi4Sure pic.twitter.com/lNhn5Ugbhz
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 4, 2017
Strange Stroman Struggles
After Masahiro Tanaka cruised through an eight-pitch top of the first, Marcus Stroman found himself in some serious trouble in the bottom half.
After allowing a one-out single to Aaron Judge, a single to Gary Sanchez and a walk to Didi Gregorius to load the bases, Stroman gifted the Yankees a two-run lead by hitting Chase Headley and walking Jacoby Ellsbury.
Despite the fact that Stroman calmed down after the bizarre first and went on to shut down the Yanks’ potent lineup, an apparent reaggravated finger blister led to Stroman’s early departure. The diminutive righty left after five innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
Yankees Continue to Hurt Themselves
Over the last several games, the Yankees have really struggled defensively. Tonight, their defensive woes forced Tanaka to allow the only run Toronto would score off the righty in the game.
In the top of the seventh, Tanaka hit Ezequiel Carrera with one out. On Carrera’s successful steal attempt of second, Gary Sanchez air-mailed the throw to second to allow Carrera to take third. Darwin Barney then lofted a single to left that easily plated Carrera to pull the Blue Jays to within one at that point.
I know it’s the Baby Bombers and all, but if they have any designs of making the postseason this year, they better take some serious strides to shore up their defense.
Tanaka ⏱’s line: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 Ks ???
Yankees lead 2-1.
ICYMI: VOTE #SirDidi4Sure https://t.co/kG15XJHcAd pic.twitter.com/YEuRFnSZaO— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 4, 2017
Crazy Eighth
As Dellin Betances kept the one-run lead with a strong top of the eighth, New York blew the game wide open in the bottom of the frame.
Aaron Judge led off the frame with a single, advancing to third on a Gary Sanchez double. After Didi walked to load the bases, Headley wrapped a line drive double to right that scored both Judge and Sanchez to make it a 4-1 contest.
After an Ellsbury strikeout, Ronald Torreyes dribbled a ball back to Blue Jays reliever Ryan Tepera, who in turn did this.
Misfiring Missile
Although the eighth made it a non-save situation, the Yankees sent closer Aroldis Chapman to close out the night. And though the fireballer finally got the job done, it was certainly not without incident.
Kendrys Morales started the ninth with a ringing double, coming around to score on another double by Kevin Pillar to make it a 6-2 game. Darwin Barney then lined a single to right that scored Pillar to make it a three-run game. But that’s where the scoring would end as Chapman got Russell Martin to fly out to end the threat and the game.
What’s Next?
Tomorrow is all about American tradition: hot dogs, fireworks and New York Yankees day baseball.
Not only do you have America’s birthday to get excited about, but C.C. Sabathia(7-2, 3.46 ERA) is scheduled to come off the DL tomorrow and will head to the mound for New York in hopes of capturing a win in game two of this three-game series. Taking the bump for the Blue Jays will be left-hander J.A. Happ(2-5, 3.71 ERA), who will take the ball in hopes of ruining C.C.’s homecoming. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 P.M. and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB.tv.
