Starter Hisashi Iwakuma #18 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the New York Yankees in the second inning at Safeco Field on August 24, 2016 in Seattle, Washington.
Advertisement
Seven home runs in the past nine games will quickly earn anyone respect.
“I understand it, but the focus is not about me, it’s about winning games here”, Sanchez said through a translator.
Sanchez – who had only 10 home runs in 71 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season – is one of five players in major league history, since 1913, with nine or more home runs in his first 21 career games and one of nine with 15 or more extra base hits in that span.
“They pitched us well all series”, Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “We haven’t been shut down like that in quite some time”, Servais said.
Tanaka worked out of trouble in the early innings, getting two groundouts in the second with runners at second and third to escape without allowing a run, then inducing a Robinson Cano double play with two on and one out in the third.
Tyler Clippard retired two batters and Betances got the four-out save.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi hinted that the fan might have been enjoying an adult beverage or two, adding that he got up after his initial tumble before falling again.
Tanaka admitted to “maybe a little bit” of extra meaning in triumphing over Iwakuma, which he first accomplished April 17 at Yankee Stadium.
Nelson Cruz was lifted for a pinch-hitter late in the loss due to back spasms.
Yankees: C Brian McCann was given the day off after catching Tuesday’s game.
NOTES: Mariners 3B Kyle Seager was out of the starting lineup after fouling a ball off his foot on Tuesday night.
This early bomb off Seattle Mariners righty Hisashi Iwakuma, the 23-year-old Dominican’s ninth homer of the most incredible month ever by a Yankees rookie, was the start of a very good day that ended a very successful West Coast trip that keeps them in the talk for playoff baseball.
Advertisement
Now, the Yankees (65-61) will have Thursday off before opening a three-game home set against the Orioles – starting a stretch of 13 out of 16 games against AL East opponents. James Paxton is expected to be activated off the DL to start the opener, although the move has not been announced.
