Gleyber Torres’ two-run bomb leads Yankees to 2-1 victory over Tigers

Last night, the Yankees were no-hit through five innings before breaking out with a trio of home runs in the sixth. Today, the Bombers were perfect-gamed through four before finally getting off the snide in the fifth. New York plated the only two runs they would need in the frame, as Miguel Andujar walked and Gleyber Torres followed with a home run to lift the Bombers to a 2-1 victory over the Tigers at Yankee Stadium.

Detroit got on the board in the top of the first on a trio of the softest singles imaginable and a sacrifice fly off Masahiro Tanaka. The right-hander threw one of his best games in a while, limiting the Tigers to soft contact all day, and getting hitters out with an economy of pitches.

Fatigue appeared to set in during the seventh, as the leadoff hitter doubled and moved to third on a single. But with the tying and go-ahead runs on base, Tanaka dug in and pitched out of the jam. The runners held when Dawel Lugo grounded out to first base. Tanaka completed his Houdini act by striking out the next two batters to end the threat.

Seven innings, seven hits, one walk, six strikeouts, 96 pitches: A vintage Tanaka performance, as the righty earned his 10th win of the season. Jonathan Holder and Dellin Betances each pitched a scoreless frame to nail down the Yankees’ victory. Betances notched his second save, and also recorded his 100th strikeout for the fifth consecutive year. He is the first reliever in history to do so.

A clean-shaven Andrew McCutchen made his Yankees debut, batting leadoff and playing right field. McCutchen gleefully saluted the Bleacher Creatures when they honored him with his first Yankees roll call. He went 0-for-3 on the day and was hit by a pitch in the sixth.

Gary Sanchez made his anxiously awaited return to action. The Kraken caught Tanaka, while going 0-for-4 at the plate. Although he came away with nothing to show for it, Sanchez hit the ball hard today.

Sanchez hit a hot shot to third in the second inning, and hustled down the line to apparently beat the throw. Although he was called safe by the umpire on the field, the call was overturned after replay review. Sanchez then belted a long fly out after Andujar walked in the fourth, which nearly gave the Yankees a 2-1 lead. The Kraken also lined out hard to third in the sixth, resulting in double play.

The Yankees only managed two hits this afternoon, but it was enough to beat the Tigers. With the win, the Bombers improve their record to 86-50. Join us for the series finale tomorrow, as Lance Lynn (8-9, 4.84 ERA) takes on Matthew Boyd (8-12, 4.22 ERA).