The New York Yankees have relied on their bats and bullpen to get where they are so far this season, but Tuesday night was a little different. They turned to their starter, Masahiro Tanaka, as they shut out the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, 4-0. Tanaka went the distance, striking out nine while allowing just three hits in his eighth win of the season.
Austin Romine took over for the injured Gary Sanchez to catch this masterful outing from Tanaka, while also driving in two at the plate to lead New York. Tanaka walked just one and retired the first 12 batters he faced, as he cruised to improve to 6-0 on the road. It was his sixth career complete game in MLB, third shutout, and first since blanking the Red Sox in Boston on April 27th of last season.
Romine's two RBIs came without the benefit of a hit, as he drove in runs with an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly. He replaces Sanchez, who was placed on the disabled list with a groin strain, this after missing 20 games from June 25th-July 19th with a similar injury. This comes just one day after he failed to hustle in two key plays during a 7-6 loss in the series opener.
The Rays also sent a key player to the DL in All-Star pitcher Blake Snell, who left his previous start with shoulder fatigue. He is expected to miss just one start, so they called up rookie Yonny Chirinos on Tuesday to pitch in his place. Chirinos allowed three runs on six hits over 6.2 innings, dropping to 0-2 in the majors this season.
Didi Gregorius and Neil Walker also drove in runs for the Yankees, who are just 14-13 in their past 27 games after an unstoppable stretch. Despite the Boston Red Sox's loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, New York is still five games back in the AL East. They will finish up their series with the Rays on Wednesday afternoon.
Austin Romine took over for the injured Gary Sanchez to catch this masterful outing from Tanaka, while also driving in two at the plate to lead New York. Tanaka walked just one and retired the first 12 batters he faced, as he cruised to improve to 6-0 on the road. It was his sixth career complete game in MLB, third shutout, and first since blanking the Red Sox in Boston on April 27th of last season.
Romine's two RBIs came without the benefit of a hit, as he drove in runs with an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly. He replaces Sanchez, who was placed on the disabled list with a groin strain, this after missing 20 games from June 25th-July 19th with a similar injury. This comes just one day after he failed to hustle in two key plays during a 7-6 loss in the series opener.
The Rays also sent a key player to the DL in All-Star pitcher Blake Snell, who left his previous start with shoulder fatigue. He is expected to miss just one start, so they called up rookie Yonny Chirinos on Tuesday to pitch in his place. Chirinos allowed three runs on six hits over 6.2 innings, dropping to 0-2 in the majors this season.
Didi Gregorius and Neil Walker also drove in runs for the Yankees, who are just 14-13 in their past 27 games after an unstoppable stretch. Despite the Boston Red Sox's loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, New York is still five games back in the AL East. They will finish up their series with the Rays on Wednesday afternoon.
