A-Rod, Tanaka Lead Yankees to Post-All Star Break Victory

The American League, led by solid pitching, Trout, and Fielder, won the All-Star Game 6-3 on Tuesday in Cincinnati. The Yankees then enjoyed two days off before beginning a three-game, weekend set. Masahiro Tanaka (5-3, 3.63 ERA) started against Seattle’s Mike Montgomery (4-3, 2.29 ERA). The Yankees won 4-3.

1st Inning

Tanaka set the Mariners down in order, including ex-Yankee Robinson Cano. Seattle’s Mike Montgomery worked around a walk to Gardner to strike out the side.

2nd Inning

Tanaka eliminated the bases loaded, two out threat by Seattle by striking out Zunino. In the bottom half, Chris Young drilled Montgomery’s 3-2 fastball into the left field stands for his 11th home run of the year, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

3rd Inning

Kyle Seager tied the game quickly at 1 with his 13th home run of the year to right center. Montgomery retired the Yankees around a Gardner single. He struck out six through 3 innings.

4th Inning

Tanaka set the Mariners down in order. In the bottom half, Young led off with a double off the left field wall. On the next pitch, Chase Headley singled up the middle to score Young. Yankees led 2-1. With 2 out and Ellsbury batting, Headley moved up to third on a wild pitch. Ellsbury walked. However, Montgomery struck out Gardner to end the inning.

5th Inning

Kyle Seager homered again in the 5th, but this time it was a 2-run shot that pushed Seattle ahead 3-2. After A-Rod and Teixeira reached on a single and walk, respectively, Brian McCann ripped Montgomery’s first pitch down the right field line, scoring A-Rod and tying the game at 3. Now there were runners on the corners with none out for Chris Young. However, Young’s fly ball was too shallow to score Tex. Headley had an opportunity to get the go-ahead run home but grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. The game was tied at 3 at the end of 5.

6th Inning

Tanaka allowed an infield single but otherwise the Mariners went down easily. Nothing for the Yankees either.

7th Inning

Tanaka set down the Mariners down in order. Joe Beimel came on in relief in the bottom half, and he faced A-Rod with one out and none on. On the 1-0 pitch, A-Rod drilled Beimel’s pitch into the right field bullpen to give New York the 4-3 lead.

8th Inning

Dellin Betances came in for the 8th. First, he struck out Seager, who homered twice earlier. Then, Cano grounded out sharply to first. And then he struck out Nelson Cruz on a wicked slurve to end the inning. The Yankees didn’t score in the 8th.

9th Inning

Andrew Miller came in to close it out. He got two outs before Mariners PH Mark Trumbo singled. However, he struck out another pinch hitter, Jesus Montero, to give New York the win.

Article by: Bryan Peng

Twitter: @bpeng1111

Blog twitter: @BronxBomberBlog