Tanaka Aces Scherzer, Drew 2 HRs

Bryce Harper, Masahiro Tanaka, Max Scherzer, Stephen Drew, Washington Nationals

Game 58 | 33-25, 1st : Your red-hot New York Yankees continued their winning ways behind another standout performance by ace Masahiro Tanaka, and some very timely 2-out hitting. The Bombers bested Nationals ace Max Scherzer, chasing him in the 7th inning and tagging him with his 5th loss of the season. The win extended the Yankees’ win streak to 7 games.

Here’s the box score, full recap, and video highlights.

Yankees 6, Nationals 1

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Masahiro Tanaka In this previous start (first back from the disabled list), Tanaka retired the last 13 batters he faced. Tonight he mowed down the first 9 Nationals before a broken-bat bloop single to center ended the run. Over 7 innings strong, Tanaka scattered 5 hits, striking out 6, walking none, and allowing only a Bryce Harper home run in the 4th. Harper’s arching blast looked at first like a routine high fly to center, but just kept going and going. In a tidy 87 pitch outing (63 for strikes), Tanaka improved to 4-1, 2.13 on the season.

“Obviously I knew who I was going up against today, a good pitcher. Still, I’ve only had one year and a little bit here, so I have to build myself up to being a better pitcher here.” ‐ Masahiro Tanaka (h/t: Chad Jennings/LoHud)

Stephen Drew Wanna win a bar bet? Ask someone who has the higher slugging percentage — Jacoby Ellsbury or Stephen Drew. You guessed it. While Drew’s BA has been in the tank since he’s donned pinstripes, he is starting to put some very big hits together. Tonight in the third inning, he turned on a 95mph four-seamer from Max Scherzer and scorched it into the right field seats. The blast was Drew’s 1,000th career MLB hit. In the 8th, he welcomed reliever Matt Thornton with a no-doubt rocket to the second deck in right.
Brian McCann Now this is the Brian McCann Yankee fans were waiting to see. Another big night at the plate, going 3-4 with a 2 out single in the 7th with the bases loaded and the Yanks holding on to a 2-1 lead. The smash to right just beyond the reach of National’s first baseman Ryan Zimmerman plated 2 and made it 4-1 Yanks.
Ramon Flores Gotta love this guy! Another outstanding defensive contribution in left field, and scoring the run that knocked Scherzer out of the game.