Tanaka throws a gem, gets a big assist
He goes seven innings and 6-foot-7 Judge robs Lindor of a two-run homer. Bird’s shot is the only run.
NEW YORK 1, CLEVELAND 0
NEW YORK — Good thing for Masahiro Tanaka and the New York Yankees that Aaron Judge is 6 feet 7.
Judge prevented a home run to save Tanaka’s seven-inning gem, Greg Bird homered against relief ace Andrew Miller and the Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians 1-0 Sunday night in Game 3 to extend the best-of-five American League division series.
“He was brilliant,” manager Joe Girardi said about Tanaka, who earned his first postseason victory. “He gave us everything we needed.”
Aroldis Chapman got a five-out save as the Yankees avoided a three-game sweep by the defending AL champions. With two runners on in the ninth inning, Chapman struck out cleanup hitter and former Cincinnati Reds teammate Jay Bruce before Carlos Santana flied out to end it.
Tanaka and Carlos Carrasco engaged in an old-fashioned October pitching duel, with the Yankees right-hander getting a big boost when Judge robbed Francisco Lindor of a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Tanaka struck out seven batters, walked one and gave up three hits. He was aided by two double plays. Carrasco, who was 11-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 17 road starts this season, gave up three hits and three walks in 52⁄3 innings. He also struck out seven batters and was helped by two double plays.
Bird came through with the huge hit New York had to have when he connected against Miller in the seventh.
“I was really excited, I’m not going to lie,” Bird said.
Game 4 is Monday night at Yankee Stadium, with right-hander Luis Severino scheduled to start for New York and right-hander Trevor Bauer for Cleveland on three days of rest after winning Game 1. However, there’s rain in the forecast.
“I consider this normal rest for me. I enjoy pitching on short [rest],” Bauer said. “If I could draw it out, personally, this is how I’d pitch every time.”
New York rebounded from a 13inning loss Friday in Game 2 that led to heavy criticism of Girardi, booed Sunday night by the home crowd during pregame introductions.
“Not the first time. I kind of expected it,” Girardi said. “I’ve seen them boo players and managers that have a lot more status than I do. So I prepared for it. I prepared my family for it.”
This was the Yankees’ first 1-0 postseason victory since Game 3 of a 2001 ALDS against Oakland, when Derek Jeter’s backhanded flip beat Jeremy Giambi to the plate for a crucial, memorable out.
Judge’s grab was the big defensive play Sunday. With a runner on first base, Lindor lofted a sixth-inning drive toward the short rightfield porch. Judge backed up to the wall and barely needed to jump to extend his glove above the fence and make the catch. The sellout crowd of 48,614 roared and Judge flashed a bright smile.