New York Yankees Game Recap: Yankees Top Astros, Masahiro Tanaka Struggles Again
An eighth inning double by Mark Teixeira helped the New York Yankees overcome a Houston Astros comeback to grab a 9-6 victory Saturday, despite another difficult outing by Masahiro Tanaka.
Brett Gardner ignited a big first inning for the Yankees by skipping a double down the right field foul line off of Astros´ starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer. After back to back walks to Chris Young and Alex Rodriguez loaded the bases, Brian McCann came to the plate after a Teixeira pop out.
McCann drilled a majestic shot to the second deck in right field, a grand slam that marked his 12th home run of the season. After Gardner doubled again in the second inning, Chris Young added a two-run home run to increase the Yankees lead to 6-0. [related category]
To Oberholtzer´s chagrin, the Yankees were hitting him harder than a Rockem Sockem Robot. And when he rifled a pitch that zipped dangerously close to Rodriguez, he found himself thrown out of the game and heading for an early shower.
Meanwhile, Tanaka was having struggles of his own. Houston scored twice in the bottom of the second on a double by Chris Carter and a single by George Springer. Tanaka struggled again in the fourth, surrendering a home run to Carter to bring Houston closer at 6-3.
In the fifth, Carlos Correa brought Houston closer yet with a two- run home run, and Jose Altuve followed with a solo shot to tie the game. Tanaka was done after five innings. He allowed six runs on seven hits.
The Yankees regained the lead in the eighth on a double by Teixeira, scoring Gardner and Young. The Yankees overcame a review of a clean Gardner slide at second base. Chase Headley added an insurance run with a home run in the ninth. Chasen Shreve earned his fifth win in relief.
Dellin Betances shut Houston down in the ninth to close the game out to earn his sixth save.
Concern is growing over the reason for Tanaka´s struggles. His curve is staying up and he has been hit very hard in his last two outings.
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