GAME 49: The Yankees wasted little time giving Masahiro Tanaka some cushion with a four run outburst in the top of the second, en route to a 7-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox, splitting the 4-game series. Captain Derek Jeter led the offense, going 4-5, including his first triple since 2011.
Not that Tanaka needed much support today. The Yank’s ace breezed through the White Sox lineup with a tidy 2-hitter until the sixth inning. Tyler Flowers double over the reach of Brett Gardner in left to lead off the inning was Chicago’s first runner in scoring position. Tanaka got the next two hitters, but a bloop single to left plated Flowers for the White Sox first and only run.
In the 7th inning Tanaka allowed a walk and a single, but a line drive to Yangervis Solarte who fired to Brian Roberts at second for the force out kept the damage to a minimum. Tanaka walked the next batter, and after 118 pitches, was lifted by manager Joe Girardi. Adam Warren came on to strike out Tyler Flowers, ending the threat. Tanaka’s day ended with 6 2/3, 1 ER, 6 Ks, and lowering his ERA to 2.29.
Warren pitched a scoreless 8th, and Matt Daley, after a lead-off double to Adam Dunn, closed it out.
Bats Coming Alive
Brett Gardner’s first inning bases loaded single to right knocked in 2 runs. Alfonso Soriano is heating up, going 2-4 with a double. Brian Roberts launched a wind-aided home run over the right field fence in the 7th.
Here’s the box score. The Yankees now head to St. Louis for a three game set with the Cardinals, wrapping up their 9-game road trip. Chase Whitley (0-0) takes the hill for the Bombers tomorrow, facing Michael Wacha (3-3).
MUST READ: Don’t miss this great piece by Chad Jennings (LoHud) : Jeter and Ichiro: Mutual respect bonds two baseball greats.
MEMORY LANE: One year ago today on May 25th, 2013, the Yankees claimed pitcher David Huff off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. He pitched one inning of relief that same day against the Tampa Bay Rays, and was DFA’d two days later as Joba Chamberlain was activated from the DL. Accepting an assignment to the minor leagues, Huff was re-added to the 25-man roster on August 15th. Used mostly in long relief, he earned his first Yankee win tossing 5 innings of one-hit ball against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yanks started Huff on September 7th in place of a struggling Phil Hughes against the Boston Red Sox, lasting 3 1/3 and allowing 9 earned runs in a 13-9 loss. The Yankees traded Huff to the San Francisco Giants on January 14, 2014 for cash considerations …
