Masahiro Tanaka was in full control against the Toronto Blue Jays as the New York Yankees cruise to victory.
- New York Yankees 4 (2-0)
- Toronto Blue Jays 2 (0-2)
- W: Tanaka (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
- L: Sanchez (0-1, 6.35 ERA)
- AL, Final, Box Score
- Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Masahiro Tanaka was dealing in Toronto as he led the New York Yankees to a second straight win. Tanaka gave up one run and struck out eight batters in six effortless innings of work. He had the Blue Jays’ lineup off balance all night long as he punched out batter after batter with his secondary stuff. The slider and the splitter had batters chasing pitches well out of the zone.
He made a few mistakes but with the exception of a Randal Grichuk solo home run, the Jays failed to take advantage. Tanaka was seen visibly upset after a few fly balls he gave up, but he retired 13 straight to finish his night.
Quiet Night
The top of the order had a rough night at the plate. The trio of Gardner-Judge-Stanton went 1-for-12 which included two strikeouts for Giancarlo Stanton. Aaron Judge grounded into two double plays. For most teams, the top of the lineup laying an egg would mean trouble. Not tonight for the Bronx Bombers.
Bottom of the Order
Brandon Drury and Tyler Wade joined the RBI party with two apiece. Drury’s first RBI of the night was very nearly a three-run opposite field home run, but it missed going over the wall by a few feet. He later singled in Didi Gregorius. Both of Wade’s RBI came on a bases loaded two-out double in the sixth inning.
If the bottom of the order can produce this season, this lineup will be an absolute nightmare for opposing pitchers. Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez successfully navigated his way through Judge and Stanton only to get burned by the likes of Neil Walker and Billy McKinney.
Bullpen Locks it up
The bullpen took the ball from Tanaka and locked this game up. Tommy Kahnle went 1.1 scoreless, David Robertson retired the two batters he faced, and Aroldis Chapman survived the ninth. Chapman allowed two straight two-out doubles that brought the tying run to the plate. Grichuk went down looking as Chapman earned his first save of the season.
Tanaka’s pitch count was low and he certainly could have pitched into the seventh inning, but this early in the season, Aaron Boone is looking to get his guys some work. Even Chasen Shreve and Adam Warren got up in the ninth to get some work in while they watched from the bullpen.
So far so good for the Yanks. The pitching has been dominant, the offense is coming from all over the lineup, and they have can feel good about themselves for a night.
First big league at-bat, first big league hit for @billy_mckinney! pic.twitter.com/mueZQF8Gbs
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 30, 2018
Brandon Drury 2, Blue Jays 1@Yankees back in the lead! ? pic.twitter.com/j04aEgntiP
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 31, 2018
T-Wade with a HUGE RBI-double!
He's fired up ?????
WATCH: https://t.co/qym1RFJ9xE pic.twitter.com/5EeLU3pT3M
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 31, 2018
100 mph cheddar on the black ?
Light work for @AChapman_105 ? pic.twitter.com/Thjfe8fbn0
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 31, 2018
