Masahiro Tanaka Wins Pitchers Dual Over Chris Sale As New York Tops Boston At Fenway
Who would have thought that Masahiro Tanaka would outduel one of the greatest pitchers in the game Chris Sale?
Masahiro Tanaka was nothing short of sensational Thursday at Fenway Park in Boston as he pitched a shutout while he out pitched Redsox pitcher Chris Sale.
Masahiro Tanaka pitched a three-hitter to outduel Chris Sale and earn his first shutout since 2014, as New York beat Boston 3-0. Masahiro Tanaka improves to 3-1 on the season while he struck out three and threw only 97 pitches for his fifth career complete game -- his first since Aug. 15, 2015, which was also the last for New York. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370427102
Masahiro Tanaka had this to say about his performance. "I knew that we were facing a good pitcher in Chris Sale. Knew how important one run could be, so I tried to go out there and put up zeroes," said Tanaka, who earned his 10th win in his last 11 decisions dating to last season. "A lot of people thought Chris Sale had the upper hand, the way he was pitching." "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370427102
As for the New York offense A sacrifice fly by designated hitter Matt Holliday in the fourth, an unearned run against Chris Sale, was the only run by either team until the ninth when the Yankees tacked on a pair, including one on a single by Holliday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/226946450/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-beat-chris-sale-sox/
The New York offense wasn't done there though as Chris Sale though stumbled in the fourth, when Hicks singled, took second on a groundout, third on a passed ball and scored on Holliday's sacrifice fly. The Yankees chased Sale when Hicks, Chase Headley, and Holliday all singled to start the ninth and score another run. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370427102
Heath Hembree gave up a single to Starlin Castro to make it 3-0 before Aaron Judge popped out to the catcher and Chris Carter grounded into a double play. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370427102
In all, Chris Sale was charged with two earned runs and eight hits in eight-plus innings, striking out 10 and walking none. He joined Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens and Jon Lester as Red Sox pitchers with 10 or more strikeouts in four straight starts. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370427102
New York improves to 13-7 on the season while Boston drops to 11-10. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-red-sox/2017/04/27/490424#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=wrap,game=490424
New York returns to Yankee Stadium Friday when they host Baltimore where New York left-hander CC Sabathia will look to rebound from his loss to Pittsburgh. He has a record of 2-1 with a 2.70 earn run average to go along with fourteen strikeouts. He will go up against Baltimore right -hander Kevin Gausman who has a record of 1-2 with a 7.50 earn run average to go along with fourteen strikeouts. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-yankees/2017/04/28/490431#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490431
Meanwhile, Boston hosts the defending world series champions the Chicago Cubs who have a record of 12-9. Right-hander Jake Arietta who has a record of 3-0 with a 3.65 earn run average to go along with twenty -nine strikeouts will be on the mound for Chicago. Jake Arietta is coming off a win over the Cincinnati Reds where he gave up four runs over six innings while he has a 4.66 earn run average against Boston who he hasn't faced since June 30th, 2014 when he had a no-hitter while giving up just one hit over 7/2/3 innings. He will face Boston left -hander Drew Pomeranz who has a record of 1-1 with a 4.60 earn run average with twenty strikeouts while he has a record of 2-0 with 1.13 earn run average against Chicago. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-red-sox/2017/04/28/490432#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490432