Game 64 Wrap-Up: NYY 4 SEA 2

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Lineup stayed the same, but the Yankees did make some more roster moves to activate Shawn Kelley off the DL.  He returned, Matt Daley was sent back to Triple-A to clear a 25-man spot, and in a related move the Yanks also jettisoned Wade LeBlanc after re-acquiring lefty David Huff.  They had their best starting pitcher on the mound in Masahiro Tanaka, and he was facing the Seattle Mariner lineup for the first time this season.  For the first time in what seemed like forever, the Yankees gave their starter some real run support.  They didn't score more than 4 runs, but 4 is plenty when, for the second time in his Major League career, Tanaka threw a complete game gem.

Game Notes:

- Junk baller Chris Young got himself in trouble in the top of the 3rd when he gave up a leadoff single to Brian Roberts and walked Brett Gardner.  The red hot Jacoby Ellsbury came up and knocked the first Yankee run in with a single to center.

- In the 5th, it was the power tool that did the work.  Gardner and Ellsbury each singled around a Derek Jeter lineout, and Mark Teixeira smacked a 3-run home run to make it 4-0.

- While all this was going on, Tanaka was putting the Seattle bats in a diaper.  They were swinging early and he was throwing all kinds of different stuff early in the count to keep them off-balance.  He recorded 6 of his first 9 outs on the ground and didn't give up a hit until the 4th inning.

- After giving up 2 hits in that inning, Tanaka went on a run of strikeouts, retiring 5 of the next 6 batters through the 6th via the whiff. 2 on the split, 2 on the slider, 1 on a fastball.

- It was a little surprising to see Joe send Tanaka out for the 9th.  He had given up 2 htis and 3 hard-hit balls in the 8th.  But he did and Tanaka left a sinker up that Robinson Cano crushed for a 2-run HR to make things interesting.  Tanaka recovered nicely to strike out the final 2 batters on perfectly-placed 4-seamers.


F*ck Yeahs:

- Top of the Order: Combined 7-16, 3 BB, 3 R, 4 RBI from the 1-4 spots in the order.  Gardner, Jeter, and Ellsbury each had 2 hits, Jeter stole 2 bases, and Teix swung the heavy stick for the run production.

- Tanaka: 9 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 11 K.  Was actually pretty efficient for striking out 11 in a CG, throwing 110 pitches in the game.  Also had 11 GB outs and 19 swinging strikes.  If he hadn't have gotten that extra day of rainout rest, I bet Joe would have played it safe with him in the 9th.  Dude's a stud either way.

Oh Nos:

- Carlos Beltran: 0-4, 1 K, 6 LOB.  Good thing Teix had that big homer because for every run he drove in, Beltran left 2 men on base.  Now that they have all their regular bodies back, it's time for Joe to find the right order in the middle.  There hasn't been any consistency from the 5-spot behind Teix all year.

Next Up:

Series finale tonight and the Yanks could get the sweep.  Chase Whitley goes to the hill to get it done against fellow rookie Roenis Elias.