The Yankees came into today’s game with a cloud hanging over their head from last night, but Masahiro Tanaka changed the conversation with today’s pitching performance. Tanaka was rolling with four perfect innings, ended with 9 strikeouts to 1 walk, and looked like the Tanaka that gave everyone confidence in the 2017 Yankees Playoff run.

The Yankees offense wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard tonight, but they scratched together four important runs, and kept Tanaka from ever feeling any pressure, aside from the fifth inning, when there were two on and nobody out with a two run lead, but Tanaka took care of that himself. The Yankees’ first three runs all came on outs, two ground-outs (Didi and Romine), and a sac-fly by Romine to give him 2 RBI on the day.

The Yankees final run came from a Neil Walker single, and brought home Miguel Andujar, who had doubled in his second hit of the evening. Andujar was one reversed-call away from having another three-hit game, despite having his 30th double and 30th multi-hit game today.

The big talk before the game was Gary Sanchez going to the disabled list, but during the game the hot stove was burning about Zach Britton coming to the New York Yankees from the Baltimore Orioles. Word is, that’s pending some physicals right now, and most likely going to happen. The Orioles are also helping out by leading the Red Sox 7-3 in the seventh inning, as I type this.

The Yankees snap their losing streak against the Rays, and have a fresh bullpen ready to go for their early start tomorrow (12 EST/9 AM PST). Brandon Drury took a pitch that hit him in the wrist, and chest, then had to leave the game after running the bases a bit in the fifth inning.

Today’s game started with back-to-back singles from Gardner and Judge, and an early RBI from Didi Gregorius. Striking early wiped the bad taste out of everyone’s mouth, and allowed them to take the convincing win against the weaker team. Hopefully they can repeat this tomorrow, and take the series victory.

Lastly, shout-out to Austin Romine for winning the Heart and Hustle Award, and then showing why in today’s game.

Yankees Top 3 Stars of the Game

* Mashiro Tanaka

** Austin Romine

*** Miguel Andujar