The New York Yankees regained sole possession of first place thanks to a stellar outing by Masahiro Tanaka.
- New York Yankees (55-46): 6
- Tampa Bay Rays (53-51): 1
- American League, FINAL, Box Score
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Masahiro Tanka showed flashes of his former ace abilities in the Bronx on Friday night. Tanaka struck out a career-high 14 batters in what was a dominating performance. The Yankees’ bats also aided Tanaka to a 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay.
Not the team from Boston for much longer… https://t.co/vQZ1MJ1CQJ
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 29, 2017
Brett Gardner, fresh off a walk-off homer in extras last night, stepped into the box and absolutely launched one to right center field and into the seats for a leadoff solo homer. Gardner has been hot as of late and continued his hot streak, hitting his 19th homer of the season and giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
Tanaka left the Rays without a single baserunner through the first four innings, but the Rays couldn’t say the same. Aaron Judge ruled everyone in the Bronx to rise and admire a line drive into the left field seats. Judge crushed his 33rd homer of the season and gave the Yanks a 2-0 lead.
Judge with a laser to left! HR No. 33 for the rookie! #AllRise pic.twitter.com/pzy4CgQ1wv
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 29, 2017
Tampa would still be without a baserunner in the fifth, but the Yankees opened the flood gates. Clint Frazier annihilated a hanging curveball 455 feet over the Yankees bullpen and into left field. Frazier’s was a three-run shot, his fourth of the season, and the Yankees suddenly had a 5-0 lead.
Masahiro Tanaka took his perfect game into the sixth inning with two outs, but Adeiny Hechavarria grounded a base hit into center field, ending his bid for a perfect game.
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3-run shot DEEP to left for @clintfrazier!
Apparently he didn't want to be the only outfielder without a home run! pic.twitter.com/FQgVqlg0q2
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 29, 2017
Tampa finally got on the board in the top of the seventh inning, when none other than Lucas Duda launched a shot into the second deck in right field. Duda may be the next former New York Metropolitan to elevate his career directly after leaving the team. The Yanks lead was now 5-1.
The Yanks added another run in the eighth and shut Tampa Bay down in the ninth, leading the Yanks back into first place.
CLINT FRAZIER WILL NOT BE SENT DOWN
Clint Frazier is making it impossible for the Yankees to send him down. Snd quite frankly, if they do, the Yankees will see their mentions blow up.
HICKS AND AUSTIN REHABING
Aaron Hicks and Tyler Austin will begin rehab assignments in the near future and could be on their way back to the Bronx soon. The question is will either of them have a spot?
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Yankees will throw Caleb Smith out for another chance against the Rays tomorrow afternoon. The Yanks will look to take their 3rd straight series.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET and will be telecasted on the YES Network and broadcasted on WFAN 660/101.9 FM.
