Masahiro Tanaka pitches like an ace again as Yanks pound Rays

Masahiro Tanaka pitches like an ace again as Yanks pound Rays


By George A. King III

April 18, 2015 | 10:46pm

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Questions about Masahiro Tanaka’s elbow never will end because he pitches for a living and the risk of the hinge coming apart is high for any hurler at all levels.

Yet, the way Tanaka dominated the Rays Saturday night in a 9-0 Yankees victory, witnessed by an announced Tropicana Field gathering of 20,824, the decision to rehab a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament instead of having Tommy John surgery last summer was a wise one for one night.

After two subpar starts that resulted in a 7.00 ERA and a 1-1 record, Tanaka smothered the Rays and watched a late-game hitting orgy led by Chris Young’s seventh-inning grand slam turn an early pitching duel between Jake Odorizzi and Tanaka into a laugher.

The 5-6 Yankees’ second straight victory avoided them losing the season’s initial four series for the first time since 1966 and put them in position to sweep three from the Rays Sunday.

In seven shutout innings, the longest outing of the young season for Tanaka, gave up two hits, fanned eighth, didn’t issue a walk and faced four batters with runners in scoring position. He is 2-1.