Beleaguered pen bails out Tanaka
BOSTON — Masahiro Tanaka had survived a tough start and was cruising along. Then the fifth inning happened. Tanaka had retired 10 in a row heading into the frame but wound up surrendering a grand slam to J.D. Martinez as the Yankees’ 8-1 lead nearly evaporated.
Tanaka (21) was charged with six runs on seven hits in five innings, but still managed to get the win.
Chad Green, David Robertson and Aroldis Chapman combined to give up just one run over the final four innings — the beleaguered bullpen combining to seal a huge win for the Bombers, who evened their record at 6-6.
HEAT INDEX
In 2017, Tommy Kahnle’s average fastball velocity was 98.1 mph. On Tuesday night, it was 94.3 mph. Kahnle has a 7.11 ERA in the early going, and the dip seems a concern. He says he feels fine physically and thinks it’s mechanical.
Walks have been an issue. He already has issued seven of them in 6.1 innings. Last season, when he was traded to the Bombers, Kahnle had seven walks in 36 innings with Chicago.
Aaron Boone says the team will still use him in different situations.
“It’s a puzzle we’re trying to figure out, but don’t have an answer for,” Brian Cashman said of Kahnle’s early loss of velocity.
The Yankees’ bullpen ERA going into Wednesday was 5.16 — 25th in baseball.
PRICE ALL WRONG
Red Sox lefty David Price was pulled after just one inning after experiencing a tingling sensation in his left hand. The team said during the game that he will be evaluated further.
Price gave up four runs and three hits, including a home run to Gary Sanchez.
Price was shaking his hand during the inning. It was the shortest start of Price’s career. His previous low came in his second major league season with Tampa Bay, when he was pulled after 1.1 innings against the Rangers on July 4, 2009. Price entered having surrendered no runs and seven hits in 14 innings during his first two starts this season. GETTY
INJURY UPDATES
Boone reiterated that Aaron Hicks (Grade I intercostal muscle strain) could return as early as Thursday in Boston. Hicks was 1-for-3 with a double in his second rehab start for TripleA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday after playing five innings in center on Tuesday, going 1-for-3.
The Bombers are still awaiting more test results on Brandon Drury (migraines, blurred vision), but a lot of them have come back negative so far. “Nothing more to report,” Boone said.
If cleared, Jacoby Ellsbury (cortisone shot, hip) will begin baseball activity in Tampa on Friday, and then go through a mini spring training of sorts.