Masahiro Tanaka Looking For His Fifth Straight Win As New York Takes On Cincinnati

Sunday night was a long night for New York who finished up their series in Chicago winning in eighteen innings. 

I wonder how many viewers were still up in the eighteenth inning when New York finally put Chicago away on Monday morning by a score of 5-4

It was a long night for both clubs as New York and Chicago closed out their series at Wrigley Field in eighteen with New York sweeping the defending world champions Chicago Cubs with Jon Lester taking on Luis Severino for seven-inning pitchers dual.

Luis Severino and Jon Lester both struck out nine although Luis Severino limited Chicago to only three hits. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228916662/yankees-beat-cubs-in-18-innings-for-a-sweep/

New York led, 4-1, in the ninth when Chapman entered, and he walked Russell and served up a single to Jon Jay. One out later, Albert Almora Jr. and Javier Baez each hit RBI singles before Chapman struck out Schwarber. Kris Bryant was intentionally walked to load the bases, and then Chapman hit Anthony Rizzo on the left forearm to force in the tying run. Tyler Clippard replaced Chapman and got Ben Zobrist on a groundout to send the game to extras. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228916662/yankees-beat-cubs-in-18-innings-for-a-sweep/

It took six hours and five minutes to complete this game  Wouldn't you say that is a record for the longest so far this season? It also came with a record number of strikeouts that also included more than 500 pitches from fifteen different pitchers and a catch by  Kyle Schwarber before the Cubs and Yankees settled matters Sunday night. Actually, it was early Monday morning when Aaron Hicks scored the game-winning run in the 18th inning, giving New York a 5-4 win. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228916662/yankees-beat-cubs-in-18-innings-for-a-sweep/

The game was still tied at 1 in the seventh when Castro reached base on a throwing error by Bryant. Then rookie Aaron Judge tripled off Lester to put the Yankees back on top. An inning later, Jacoby Ellsbury launched a two-run home run off Justin Grimm to provide the three-run lead New York took into the ninth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228916662/yankees-beat-cubs-in-18-innings-for-a-sweep/

New York manager Joe Girardi had this to say about his team's performance"  "It's a gritty performance by our guys," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We had the 4-1 lead and weren't able to hold it. We had some brilliant performances by guys out of the bullpen and stretched further than they normally go. It's a crazy game." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/228916662/yankees-beat-cubs-in-18-innings-for-a-sweep/

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 4-1  is coming off a  11-5 win over Toronto where  Aaron Judge started his afternoon with a long batting practice drive that destroyed a flatscreen television, then went deep twice in game action to claim the Major League home run lead as the Yankees flexed their muscles in an 11-5 victory over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. " according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227862574/yankees-outfielders-hit-5-hrs-vs-toronto/?game_pk=490500

Brett Gardner homered twice off Mat Latos whileAaron Hicks added a two-run blast as the Yanks matched their season high with five homers, pounding out a season-high 16 hits to help Masahiro Tanaka win his fourth straight start and snap Toronto's three-game winning streak. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227862574/yankees-outfielders-hit-5-hrs-vs-toronto/?game_pk=490500

Cincinnati meanwhile has a record of 17-14 and is coming off a 4-0 win over the San Fransisco Giants Sunday where Scott Feldman pitched a three -hit shutout as  he gave up four hits and one walk with five strikeouts. The Giants did not take advantage of having the leadoff batter reach five times and were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. "according to http://m.reds.mlb.com/news/article/228872016/schebler-cozart-homer-as-reds-sweep-giants/?topicId=27118370

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 4-1 with an earn run average of 446 along with twenty-six strikeouts and he   is coming off a  11-5 win over Toronto where  Aaron Judge started his afternoon with a long batting practice drive that destroyed a flatscreen television, then went deep twice in game action to claim the Major League home run lead as the Yankees flexed their muscles in an 11-5 victory over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. " according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/227862574/yankees-outfielders-hit-5-hrs-vs-toronto/?game_pk=490500  In his last four starts Masahiro Tanaka has posted a 2.51 earn run average permitting twenty-two hits while walking four and striking out eighteen.  He will go up against Cincinnati right-hander Rookie Davis who has a record of 1-1 with a 7.36 earn run average to go along with eleven strikeouts. He will be going up against the organization that drafted him before he was traded in December of 2015 in the Aroldis Chapman deal. He earned his first major win against Pittsburgh Wednesday pitching five scoreless. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-reds/2017/05/08/490578#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490578

Will New York's  offense have enough energy left to score runs and back up Masahiro Tanaka's start after playing eighteen innings Sunday against Chicago? Will Cincinnati pitch another shutout?

First pitch is set for 7:10pm. The game will be televised on Yes. 

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