Tanaka Stays Perfect, as Yankees Defeat Rays

mcall.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 3rd, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Rays 3 Yankees 9

The New York Yankees were able to bounce back nicely after Friday night’s extra-inning marathon loss with a rather easy win on Saturday. The win moves Yankees to (16-13) on the early season, as they are currently .5 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.

Yankees Starter Masahiro Tanaka didn’t have his best stuff on Saturday, but was still very good and improved to (4-0) on the season. Tanaka went a much needed seven innings for the Yankees bullpen, as he allowed three runs on eight hits, with five strikeouts. Tanaka would get hurt a bit by the long ball on Saturday, as Desmond Jennings and Wil Myers each hit solo-homeruns off of him.

For the Rays, Jake Odorizzi got the start, but he didn’t factor in the decision or last very long in the game. Odorizzi went just four innings while allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, as he didn’t help out the Rays bullpen much after the long game on Friday.



In the second straight game for First Baseman Mark Teixeira, he was able to provide the Yankees with some power in the middle of the order. Teixeira hit a two-run homerun in the fourth inning, which was his fifth of the season. He would get a RBI single in the seventh inning as well to cap off a two for four day at the plate.

The top of the Yankees order was fantastic setting the table in the victory, as Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner both were very good. Ellsbury in the lead-off spot was on base nearly the whole game, as he went three for four at the plate with a walk, two runs scored, and one RBI. Ellsbury also stole his 10th base of the season already in the eighth inning. Gardner batting in the two-hole went two for five with two runs, and two RBIs. The combination of these two at the top of the order proved to be very successful with Jeter getting a day off.

Ichiro Suzuki in his part-time role continued to play well, as in his start on Saturday he went two for four with a double, two runs scored, and one RBI. Suzuki is now hitting .375 on the season after the multi-hit game.

Next up for the Yankees will be their final game of the series against the Rays, and their final game of the home-stand on Sunday, as C.C. Sabathia (3-3, 5.11) will be facing off against Erik Bedard (0-1, 5.52).