Tanaka Deals In 4-1 Win Over Rays

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays opened their weekend series on Friday night at Tropicana Field with each team’s aces taking the mound.

RHP Masahiro Tanaka (ERA 2.89) was perfect through four innings as he led the Yankees to a 4-1 win over the Rays. Tampa Bay’s right-hander Chris Archer (ERA 4.62) did allow two base runners in the first inning but seemed to settle down until the top of sixth inning.

The Yankees’ first run of the night and inning was scored by Brett Gardner after Brian McCann grounded into a forced out; McCann was safe and Beltran was out at second base. Gardner got on base after a walk and Archer would try and pick him off at first but a throwing error would allow Gardner to reach third base. Carlos Beltran would also end up reaching first on a fielding error by Rays’ second baseman Taylor Motter. Alex Rodriguez then hit his sixth homerun of the season on a fly ball to center field, a two run blast that traveled 440 feet through the Trop, Yankees were then up 3-0.

Tanaka worked seven innings allowing just two hits; striking out four as he earned his third win of the season (3-0).

Archer would allow another homer before his night was over, a solo homer on a fly ball to right field; his eleventh of the season for a 4-0 Yankees’ lead.

Archer ended his night after eight innings, allowing four runs on four hits; walking three and striking out seven batters; he was charged with the loss and fall to 3-6 on the season.

The Yankees chose left-hander Andrew Miller (ERA 0.92) to work the eighth inning and although he would get two runners on he would get out of the inning unscathed to hold the Yankees’ shutout.

Reliever Kirby Yates (ERA 2.37) however allowed the Rays’ lone run in the top of the ninth with two outs with a solo homerun to Steve Pearce for a 4-1 ballgame.

The Yankees then turned to their hard throwing closer Aroldis Chapman (ERA 2.16) to get the last out of the game.

The Yankees now advance to (23-24)  as the Rays fall to (21-25).

Up Next:

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays will face each other for the second game of the series on Saturday afternoon at 4:10pm at Tropicana Field.

• Michael Pineda will take the start for the Yankees, as he looks to build off of some positive momentum from his last start. He is currently (2-5, 6.34) on the season and has struggled early on in starts to get ahead.
• Matt Moore will make the start for the Rays in the second game of this series, he is currently (1-3, 5.47) on the season.