iStock_000084127593_Full.jpg

BASEBALL

Masahiro Tanaka Returning To The Ace Everyone Knows As New York Tops Toronto

162 games is a long season for any player or team so you're bound to go through times when you're not having success. 

That has been the case for New York right -hander Masahiro Tanaka as of late but he seems to be returning to form slowly but surely.   

 Masahiro Tanaka continued his resurgence for a third straight sharp outing, striking out eight over seven strong innings as the Yankees handed the Blue Jays their fifth straight loss, 6-3, on Monday night at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

Stringing together back-to-back victories following an eight-start winless stretch, Tanaka permitted five hits and a walk in an 111-pitch effort. The recent run is accompanied by a spike in velocity; his average fastball has jumped from 91.8 mph over his first 14 starts to 93.5 mph in his past three. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

Masahiro Tanaka had this to say about his outing. "I think it's something that's coming naturally," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I just really try to focus on one pitch at a time. I'm just really trying to execute each and every pitch. Sometimes I look up at the board and I'm surprised by myself at the velocity." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

As for Toronto's offense, Darwin Barney's  soft seventh-inning RBI single accounted for the only run off the right-hander, who improved to 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his past three starts. The Yankees won for just the sixth time in their past 20 games "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

When you put three of them together that are very similar, where his stuff is outstanding, you feel a lot better about where he's at," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

Headley was hit by a pitch in the first to force home a run and delivered a two-run double in the eighth off Ryan Tebera. Two more runs scored in the eighth on  Ronald Torreyes ' tapper back to the mound that resulted in an error, opening up New York's lead. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

Meanwhile, Toronto starter Marcus Stroman permitted two runs and five hits over five innings before leaving after 79 pitches with a blister on his right middle finger. Toronto touched Aroldis Chapman for two runs in the ninth, with Ezequiel Carrera and Barney collecting run-scoring hits before Headley made a diving grab for the final out. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

"We can't really dwell on that," said Stroman, whose team has lost nine of its past 11. "We can't really get down on ourselves, just have to do everything in our power to regroup and come here tomorrow to get a win." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

New catcher Gary Sanchez had this to say about Masahiro Tanaka "[Tanaka] has been really, really good in the past couple of starts," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "His split is really good, his slider is really good, the curveball. When a pitcher has all those pitches working, usually you have really good results." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240234704/yankees-hand-blue-jays-fifth-straight-loss/

New York improved to 44-37 while Toronto dropped to 37- 45 on the season and is three games back of their American League East rival Boston.

 New York and Toronto will play game two on the fourth of July.  Veteran left -hander CC Sabathia who has a record of 7-2 with a 3.46 earn run average will get the start for New York as he expected to be activated from the disabled list for an Indepence Day start. He sustained a left hamstring strain in his most recent outing on June 13 against the Angels. Sabathia gave up six runs to the Blue Jays on May 3.  He will take on Toronto left-hander J.A Happ who has a record of 2-5 with a 3.71 earn run average. Happ has posted a quality start in four of his six outings since coming off the disabled list with a left elbow injury. He has tossed at least six innings in each of his past four starts and is back to his form of 2016. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2017/07/04/491362#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491362

First pitch is set for 1:05 pm. "according to  https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2017/07/04/491362#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491362