The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Tanaka rebounds, but A’s rally against Yankees pen
NEW YORK » Masahiro Tanaka struck out a careerhigh 13 to rebound from the worst stretch of his major league career but wound up a hard-luck loser when reliever Tyler Clippard’s wild pickoff throw sparked a goahead, two-run eighth inning in the Oakland Athletics’ 4-1 win over the New York Yankees on Friday night.
Sean Manaea (3-3), starting because Kendall Graveman was scratched with a sore pitching shoulder, matched Tanaka and allowed four hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and a walk. Ryan Madson pitched a perfect eighth and New York loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Santiago Casilla before Didi Gregorius hit a sacrifice fly and pinch-hitter Gary Sanchez popped out.
Tanaka (5-4) left with the game scoreless after allowing Adam Rosales’ one-out single in the eighth, and Jed Lowrie and Khris Davis followed with run-scoring hits off Clippard. Stephen Vogt added a two-run homer in the ninth against Jonathan Holder.
With Aroldis Chapman sidelined by left shoulder inflammation and Dellin Betances moved from setup man to temporary closer, the Yankees’ bullpen has stumbled of late.
Squaring his shoulders more than in recent starts, Tanaka allowed five hits, walked none and threw 76 of 111 pitches for strikes. He got 25 swings and misses — his most in the majors — and the usually undemonstrative 28-year-old tipped his cap to applauding fans while he walked to the dugout.
Tanaka was booed loudly in his previous home start, when he was chased by Houston after allowing three homers and eight runs in 1 2/3 innings. And he had been pounded for 14 runs over 4 2/3 innings in his previous two outings.
His return to form not surprisingly took place with Austin Romine behind the plate. Tanaka has a 2.21 ERA when pitching to Romine and a 12.27 ERA to Gary Sanchez, New York’s No. 1 catcher.
Tanaka struck out eight of first 11 batters and nine of his opening 15. He fanned Mark Canha in a 10-pitch atbat leading off the eighth, then was replaced after Rosales’ hit to center.
Clippard threw past first baseman Chris Carter for an error that allowed Rosales to reach third, and Rajai Davis hit a two-hopper to third baseman Chase Headley, who threw to the plate in time for Romine to tag Rosales, who slid headfirst.