MAJOR LEAGUES
Japanese pitching ace Masahiro Tanaka delivered a dazzling 10 strikeouts and allowed just two bunt singles on Wednesday in the New York Yankees’ 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Tanaka, unfazed by unseasonably chilly weather at Yankee Stadium — where snow fell overnight — walked just one for the second time in three starts.
Photo: AFP
He lowered his earned-run-average from 3.21 to 2.05, drawing praise from Yankees manager Joe Girardi for his smooth transition to the US’ major leagues.
“He’s pitched really well and we’re really happy with what he’s done,” Girardi said.
Tanaka had retired 15 straight Cubs batters before Anthony Rizzo’s bunt single against the infield shift to begin the seventh inning.
Tanaka responded by retiring the final six batters he faced — striking out three — before he was replaced by relief pitcher Shawn Kelly to start the ninth.
“He had outstanding command and good command of the splitter,” Girardi said. “He’s pitched really well so far. We’ve been pleased with the adjustments he’s made during the game. That’s important to me.”
Carlos Beltran homered and Jacoby Ellsbury went one-for-three with an RBI for the Yankees.
Dean Anna drove in the other run for the Yankees, who have won four of five overall and improved to 5-3 on their current nine-game home stand.
Rizzo finished with two hits and Junior Lake had the other bunt single for the Cubs.
New York notched their fourth straight win later on Wednesday, as pitcher Michael Pineda tossed five scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Cubs in the second game of a doubleheader.
In other play, it was:
‧ Baltimore 3, Tampa Bay 0
‧ Cincinnati 4, Pittsburgh 0
‧ Milwaukee 5, St Louis 1
‧ NY Mets 5, Arizona 2
‧ Atlanta 1, Philadelphia 0
‧ Cleveland 3, Detroit 2
‧ Washington 6, Miami 3
‧ Texas 3, Seattle 2
‧ Boston 6, White Sox 4 (14
innings)
‧ Kansas City 6, Houston 4 (11
innings)
‧ LA Angels 5, Oakland 4 (12
innings)
‧ San Diego 4, Colorado 2
‧ San Francisco 2, Dodgers 1
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