While the New York Yankees didn’t make a splash on the trade market, they managed to split a two-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Following an outing that resulted in a stat line fit for slow-pitch softball, Masahiro Tanaka bounced back in a big way. The veteran tossed four innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits to help the New York Yankees secure a 7-5 win.
While that isn’t the most attractive final line, it marks the third straight game the starting pitcher kept the Yankees in the game long enough to give the offense a chance to win.
Additionally, it seems that Tanaka has been tinkering with his splitter grip. Perhaps adjusting his grip to the new balls will help him regain consistency with that pitch. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out Tanaka goes as his splitter goes.
If I'm not mistaken, caught a glimpse on one broadcast close-up of what appeared to be a slightly different splitter grip, too.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) July 31, 2019
The Yankees opened the scoring in the second inning when Mike Tauchman blasted a two-run shot to left.
Who knew Tauchman had this kinda of opposite-field power? #PinstripePride pic.twitter.com/Xp5WFzAifW
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) July 31, 2019
Tauchman has been nothing short of exceptional since being recalled for the London Series. It seems like general manager Brian Cashman has pulled another rabbit out of his underrated trade hat.
The Diamondbacks put a three-spot on the board in the fifth inning to take the lead before a half-hour rain delay.
During that rain delay, my worst nightmare that I didn’t know I had came true. Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke was traded to the Houston Astros at the very last second.
BREAKING: #Astros get Greinke.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2019
The Astros now possess three true aces, which represents an enormous obstacle for the Yankees pursuit of a championship.
With Greinke out of the game, however, the Yankees mounted a comeback. Austin Romine regained the lead with a two-run shot in the seventh inning.
ANOTHER ONE, 2-run shot for Austin Romine!#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/a3kaY5foWC
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 31, 2019
The Yankees tacked on three insurance runs in the eighth courtesy of Didi Gregorius, Gleyber Torres, and Cameron Maybin. The Diamondbacks added two in the ninth but it wasn’t enough as Aroldis Chapman recorded his 27th save.
Savage of the Game — Austin Romine
The game-winning shot came off the bat of Romine so he wins “Savage of the Game”. He’s been holding down the fort nicely in the absence of Gary Sanchez.
