Masahiro Tanaka, Blake Snell Meet Again As New York Faces Tampa Bay
It was just last weekend that the two American League East foes took on each other at Tropicana Field.
This weekend however, they’re playing in the Bronx. Like last weekend Masahiro Tanaka will take on Blake Snell.
New York comes into the second game of their three game series with a record of 27-16 and recently started leading the division while Tampa Bay comes into the second game of their three game series with a record of 26-16 and is now in second place in the division and is 0.5 games back of New York.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings In game two of their three game series New York will look to win the series while Tampa Bay will look to even things up.
As stated above, Masahiro Tanaka will once again face Blake Snell. The Japanese right -hander comes into the game with a record of 3-3 with a 3.44 earn run average. Tanaka outpitched Blake Snell in his most recent outing, limiting the Rays to a run on five hits over seven innings. Tanaka walked none and struck out seven in the Yanks' 7-1 win at Tropicana Field, throwing 55 of 73 pitches for strikes. He will oppose Tampa Bay left-hander Blake Snell who comes into the game with a record of 3-4 with an earn run average of 3.56. Snell struck out 12 and allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings in Sunday's loss to the Yankees. The 5 2/3 innings were the deepest Snell has gone into a game against the Yankees in 12 career starts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers
As for the opener between New York and Tampa Bay, New York topped Tampa Bay.
New York has had to go through a lot of adversity this season with injuries but they find ways to win with the players they have.
Urshela capped a three-run ninth-inning rally for the Yankees. The win vaulted New York into first place in the American League East, a half-game ahead of the Rays. And again, the savior gave the Yankees what they needed -- a win while ensuring they did not let a strong CC Sabathia start go to waste. Of course, Urshela wasn’t the only savior in the victory. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
The Yankees’ bats were dormant for most of the evening against the Rays’ parade of pitchers, with Ryne Stanek starting as an opener. Through eight innings, the Yankees had just one run, on a Kendrys Morales homer, and hadn’t gotten a hit with a runner on base.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
But that all changed in the ninth inning against flamethrower Jose Alvarado. Enter the first savior -- Luke Voit. He rocketed the first pitch he saw from the Rays hurler into right-center field, homering on a 99 mph pitch. It was the third-fastest pitch hit for a home run this season and the fastest pitch a Yankees player had homered against since Gary Sánchez took a 99 mph Joe Kelly pitch deep on Aug. 18, 2017. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
“We knew we had a chance … even though we’re facing Alvarado, doesn’t matter who we’re facing,” Voit said. “It is, honestly, crazy to think that could happen, but you know what? Just keep going.”
Gleyber Torres played the role of savior, too, keeping the rally going for the Yankees. After a Sanchez single and a Morales strikeout for the first out of the inning, Torres battled against Alvarado in a 10-pitch at-bat and smacked a double to left field. Thairo Estrada, who was pinch-running for Sanchez, advanced to third.
For as good as he’s been swinging lately, that’s probably his best at-bat of the year,” manager Aaron Boone said. “That’s a grind it out, lay off some pitches, spoil some tough pitches, finally get one he can handle and smoked it. Really good at-bat by Gleyber.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
After a Clint Frazier intentional walk, Estrada scored the tying run on a wild pitch from Alvarado, his second wild pitch of the season, tying the total he’s had in each of the first two seasons of his career. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
Cameron Maybin then hit into a fielder’s choice that resulted in the second out of the inning at home plate, but Urshela connected on a 99 mph 2-0 sinker and launched it over Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier’s head. It was the Yankees’ third walk-off win of the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
“Great at-bats [from Urshela] all night, tonight obviously a couple hits the other way, and then absolutely scalded that ball,” Boone said. “They had him played perfectly, but he hit it so hard to get it over his head. Just another [example of] him coming up in a big way, like he has much of the year so far.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
Asked what he was thinking during the rally, Sabathia echoed that confidence in Urshela. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
“‘We got this,’” he said he was thinking. “Especially when Gio came up, I said, ‘Turn out the lights.’” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
Sabathia added that Urshela’s defense has been a big part of what’s impressed him about the infielder. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
“It’s not even the hits, it’s the defense,” Sabathia said. “The way he’s been playing defense for us, making every play ... [and] it’s been incredible to watch him take great at-bats and hit the ball really all over the field.”
Alvarado allowed four hits in the inning. He’d allowed just eight hits all season before Friday night. It was Alvarado’s first blown save of the year in his fifth chance.
“We know we’re up against a tough customer in Alvarado there, but guys expect it,” Boone said. “Guys have been so good in the compete department that I wasn’t surprised that they’d go down fighting. But to string together the level of at-bats against that guy right there was really impressive.”
Asked what he was thinking during the rally, Sabathia echoed that confidence in Urshela.
“‘We got this,’” he said he was thinking. “Especially when Gio came up, I said, ‘Turn out the lights.’”
Sabathia added that Urshela’s defense has been a big part of what’s impressed him about the infielder.
“It’s not even the hits, it’s the defense,” Sabathia said. “The way he’s been playing defense for us, making every play ... [and] it’s been incredible to watch him take great at-bats and hit the ball really all over the field.”
Alvarado allowed four hits in the inning. He’d allowed just eight hits all season before Friday night. It was Alvarado’s first blown save of the year in his fifth chance.
“We know we’re up against a tough customer in Alvarado there, but guys expect it,” Boone said. “Guys have been so good in the compete department that I wasn’t surprised that they’d go down fighting. But to string together the level of at-bats against that guy right there was really impressive.”
The run support came late for Sabathia, but it saved the Yankees from losing another strong start by the big lefty. Sabathia pitched six innings, allowing just one run on a Willy Adames homer. He’s allowed two runs or fewer in five of his seven starts this season. With the win, the Yankees improved to 3-2 in those five games, after losing the two most recent instances on Saturday and April 30.
The late rally mattered in the standings, too. It’s only May, but the entire series is shrouded in the aura of the AL East race, with the Rays appearing to be legitimate contenders in 2019 and the Yankees finding themselves in it despite numerous injuries.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
The last time the Yankees were in first place was when they were a game up after an Opening Day win. The Yankees have been saved multiple times already in this young season, and Friday night was yet another example -- turning what was almost a 1 1/2-game deficit in the division into a half-game lead. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-walk-off-to-beat-rays
First pitch is set for 1:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Sun, Major League Baseball Network and YES.