YANK GAMEDAY

GAME 49: May 27, 2018 Where: Yankee Stadium

With all of Japan watching, Masahiro Tanaka delivered a gem. The righthander allowed just one run on three hits over six innings Sunday afternoon to lead the Yankees to a 3-1 series-clinching victory over fellow countryman Shohei Ohtani and the Angels at the Stadium.

Tanaka finished with eight strikeouts, two of which came against Ohtani — one in the first inning and one in the sixth. Heading into this series in the Bronx, there was immense anticipation over a potential starting-pitching matchup between Ohtani and Tanaka. But the Angels pushed back Ohtani, the rookie two-way star who’s been the best story in baseball this season. Japanese fans still got to see their country’s two biggest baseball stars go toe-to-toe, though, as Tanaka faced Ohtani three times before departing.

Ohtani had last faced Tanaka in Japan’s NPB league five years ago. The 23-year-old is now 0-for-13 combined in his career against Tanaka, whose lone run allowed Sunday came on a solo home run from Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons in the sixth. Ohtani also walked in the fourth.

The Yankees jumped ahead with a three-run third inning, taking advantage of Garrett Richards’ wild afternoon. Richards, the Angels’ starter, lasted just 2.1 innings. He walked five and also threw three wild pitches.