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For the first six innings of this game, the recap was looking easier and easier to write. Masahiro Tanaka pitches brilliantly and the Yankees' offense offer him no support, resulting in a loss. While the offense giving Tanaka no run support still rings true, the Yankees wound up winning tonight's game behind some late inning home run heroics.
Masahiro Tanaka did not have his best stuff tonight, in terms of his mechanics. Regardless, he was able to keep the Yankees in the game, as he normally does. He gave up six hits and two earned runs over seven innings, while striking out three and walking two. It is a near similar line to his previous game in Toronto, complete with the aforementioned lack of run support.
The Angels scored early off of him. Albert Pujols knocked in the first run with a bloop single to center field in the first inning. Former Yankee legend Gregorio Petit would score via a sacrifice fly hit by Kole Calhoun.
On the other end, Matt Shoemaker was cruising along quickly for the first six innings of the game. Shoemaker was only at 71 pitches through 6.2 innings before Brian McCann and Starlin Castro went back to back and a belly to belly (yes, it is required to say it that way at all times) to tie the game up.
After Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner managed to get on base with a pair of singles in the bottom of the eighth, that was all for Shoemaker. He gave up eight hits and four earned runs, two of them being home runs, while striking out six and walking no one over 7.2 innings.
Jose Alvarez came in to face Carlos Beltran. Beltran would win this matchup, as he hit an opposite field dinger to give the Yankees a three run lead. This was the Yankees' first three-run home run since April 7th of this year. As of tomorrow, that will officially be two months ago.
Beltran just hit the first 3-run HR by a Yankee since April 7th.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) June 7, 2016
Fan-tastic.
Andrew Miller replaced Tanaka in the top of the 8th and promptly struck out Kole Calhoun, Mike Trout, and Albert Pujols. Not too shabby. Aroldis Chapman entered to close the game for the Yankees. After striking out C.J. Cron, defensive replacement Chris Parmelee made a couple of really nice catches in foul territory to seal the victory.
There were some questionable calls by the second base umpire, but in the end they wind up not mattering as the Yankees win game one of this four game series. A great way to start HOPE Week in the Bronx.
Michael Pineda will take the mound tomorrow. Opposing him will be David Huff, another former Yankee legend. The hype is so real that it hurts.
Carlos Beltran's three run dinger