The first series of the season between the AL East foes should entertain. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. He allowed two home runs.
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The visiting Yankees have won their last four games with Brian McCann starting at catcher, but he’ll be replaced in the lineup by Austin Romine.
If this was a test, consider it passed.
“They drained a little blood out of the toenail after the eighth inning”, manager Joe Girardi said. Bautista walked the first time up giving him an American League leading 10 in eight games…
“If I’m not aggressive”, he said.
Sanchez, for his part, was frustrated by the number of deep counts he worked.
After striking out Encarnacion, Tanaka appeared close to letting the game slip away, as he walked Tulowitzkzi. By late Wednesday night, the catcher was optimistic he would only miss one game with the bruised toe. Blue Jays – RP F. Morales (15-Day DL, shoulder), RP A. Loup (15-Day DL, elbow), 2B D. Travis (Mid May, shoulder).
“They played us really tough a year ago”, Headley said. That last pitch he threw to Gardner is his typical curveball.
“He made the pitches when he had to”, Girardi said.
The Yankee bats were up against a power arm, Aaron Sanchez.
Josh Donaldson and Bautista hit back-to-back doubles and the slumping Troy Tulowitzki chipped in with an RBI single. All three pitches clocked at 89 miles per hour, not enough of a velocity difference and Sanchez shelved the pitch. It was the third-straight two-seamer McCann saw. 889 to go along with two home runs, four runs batted in, nine total hits and 10 runs scored.
The Yankees continued that work following the 2015 season by trading for one of the top closers in baseball in Aroldis Chapman.
Sanchez, postgame, was clearly was frustrated by the events of the second inning. Didi Gregorius, with one out in the fifth, collected just the second hit Yankees hit on the night to that point, lining a double to left-center.
Tonight wasn’t Tanaka’s prettiest start but give him credit for this: he bent but didn’t break. “He was out there bouncing around”. One of the poorest offseason trades was the Hendricks – Chavez trade which sent a reliable Aussie releiver to Oakland and a inconsistent spot starter/reliever to Toronto.
NY ranks in the bottom half at 17th with an OPS of.873. He paid the price.
The Yankees were also unsuccessful the last time Tanaka pitched. Bautista brought them both home with a booming double to center.
Toronto answered by working over reliever Ivan Nova, who gave up five hits and four earned runs in the eighth. “We’ve got some guys that are cold right now but that will change”.
At least in the early on, Tanaka seemed like he was pitching for hitters to chase while not being able to finish them off swiftly. Chris Colabello is hitting at a. 067 clip and Russell Martin isn’t much better at.087.
Two singles and a double.
“I think we’re not too far off”, said Martin.
“I thought he pitched very well against us”, Teixeira said. “We are appreciative of the dynamic in Buffalo and feel that because of the Rich family, the exceptional front office and support of a great city – there is no one we would rather be affiliated with”.
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“We know we’re a great lineup and we’re going to score runs”. Goins scored on the play to make it 3-1.
