NEW YORK -- One big development for the banged-up Yankees as they've limped toward the All-Star break the past few weeks: Masahiro Tanaka is back in top form.
Tanaka pitched seven sharp innings for his second straight win following a long slump, and the Yankees beat the skidding Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 on Monday night.
"I feel better out there and it's definitely going in the right direction," Tanaka said through a translator.
Hours after announcing they'll both compete in the Home Run Derby next week, All-Star sluggers Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez sparked New York's offense. Consecutive singles by those Baby Bombers in the first helped the Yankees scratch out two runs against Marcus Stroman. Judge's leadoff single and Sanchez's double set up a four-run eighth that included Chase Headley's two-run double off Ryan Tepera.
Headley was hit by a pitch to force home a run in the first and finished with three RBI. Jacoby Ellsbury drew a bases-loaded walk from Stroman (8-5), who grew up on Long Island about 55 miles from Yankee Stadium.
Last-place Toronto has dropped five straight and nine of 11.
"Just gone cold, you know?" manager John Gibbons said. "I still feel like we're about to explode."
Tanaka (7-7) turned in his third consecutive strong outing, a major positive for the second-place Yankees as they chase AL East-leading Boston. New York won for only the sixth time in 20 games.
"We have an opportunity in front of us," manager Joe Girardi said. "I think that's what you ask for as you move forward."
Tanaka yielded one run and five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. The right-hander was coming off a win last Wednesday at the Chicago White Sox -- his first since May 8. Before that, he was 0-6 in a stretch of eight starts.
"He gets you off the fastball just in time to throw the fastball," Toronto outfielder Steve Pearce said. "It's only a matter of time for somebody like that.
"Sometimes you'll feel the wrath of somebody when they're coming out of it," he added. "He's coming out of it -- you could tell."
New York scored its last two runs in the eighth on an error by catcher Luke Maile . They came in handy when Aroldis Chapman gave up two in the ninth before closing it out.
With a runner on, Headley went to his knees to snag a game-ending line drive .
Struggling reliever Dellin Betances, another one of New York's five All-Stars, struck out two in a scoreless eighth to protect a 2-1 lead. He was aided by Sanchez, who threw out Josh Donaldson trying to steal for an inning-ending double play .
Darwin Barney hit an RBI single in the seventh off Tanaka, who snared Maile's hard comebacker with a runner on second to end the inning and keep the Yankees ahead.
Pinch-hitter Kevin Pillar had an RBI double in the ninth, and Barney followed with a run-scoring single.
BLISTERING TAKE
Stroman developed a blister and was checked by a trainer in the fifth. He finished the inning but was pulled after that by Gibbons, who said the right-hander's finger was getting raw.
"Extremely frustrating. I feel like it's an epidemic that's happening across the big leagues now, a bunch of pitchers getting blisters, guys who have never had blisters before. So for MLB to turn their back to it, I think that's kind of crazy," said Stroman, who threw 79 pitches. "I have no theory. But obviously, I mean, it's not a coincidence that it's happening to so many guys all of a sudden. It's not a coincidence."
QUOTABLE
Betances on being elected to his fourth straight All-Star game by his peers around Major League Baseball: "Thank God that the players voted last week," Betances said. "I had a tough couple games."
FIRST IMPRESSION
Touted rookie Clint Frazier went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in his Yankee Stadium debut for New York.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: Stroman said he'll do everything in his power to make his next scheduled start against Houston this weekend. ... With afternoon games coming up the next two days, SS Troy Tulowitzki, C Russell Martin and Pillar were rested. "They need it," Gibbons said. "I've got to do what's best for them." All three players pinch hit in the ninth. ... RHP Aaron Sanchez (blister) rejoined the team and could come off the DL this week to start at home against Houston. Sanchez made his second minor league rehab start Sunday, allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Buffalo. He threw 76 pitches.
Yankees: Unable to figure out why 1B Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) is still hurting, general manager Brian Cashman said the team hasn't ruled out exploratory surgery. Cashman called that the "worst-case" scenario. "Obviously, there's something going on that we haven't been able to get our hands on," the GM said. "All the diagnostic testing showed the bone bruise has healed and yet he still has pain." Understandably, Bird didn't sound too keen about the idea. "I still think there's a lot of different options," he said. "Anytime you can avoid it, you want to avoid it." For now, Bird has been prescribed rest and will see specialists this week.
UP NEXT
CC Sabathia (7-2, 3.46 ERA) comes off the disabled list for the Yankees to start Tuesday against fellow lefty J.A. Happ (2-5, 3.71) and the Blue Jays. Sabathia has been sidelined since June 14 with a strained left hamstring. "I feel good. I'm ready to go," he said. New York also expects to activate reliever Adam Warren from the DL before the game. Warren has been out since June 16 because of right shoulder inflammation.
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More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
Tanaka pitched seven sharp innings for his second straight win following a long slump, and the Yankees beat the skidding Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 on Monday night.
"I feel better out there and it's definitely going in the right direction," Tanaka said through a translator.
Hours after announcing they'll both compete in the Home Run Derby next week, All-Star sluggers Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez sparked New York's offense. Consecutive singles by those Baby Bombers in the first helped the Yankees scratch out two runs against Marcus Stroman. Judge's leadoff single and Sanchez's double set up a four-run eighth that included Chase Headley's two-run double off Ryan Tepera.
Headley was hit by a pitch to force home a run in the first and finished with three RBI. Jacoby Ellsbury drew a bases-loaded walk from Stroman (8-5), who grew up on Long Island about 55 miles from Yankee Stadium.
Last-place Toronto has dropped five straight and nine of 11.
"Just gone cold, you know?" manager John Gibbons said. "I still feel like we're about to explode."
Tanaka (7-7) turned in his third consecutive strong outing, a major positive for the second-place Yankees as they chase AL East-leading Boston. New York won for only the sixth time in 20 games.
"We have an opportunity in front of us," manager Joe Girardi said. "I think that's what you ask for as you move forward."
Tanaka yielded one run and five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. The right-hander was coming off a win last Wednesday at the Chicago White Sox -- his first since May 8. Before that, he was 0-6 in a stretch of eight starts.
"He gets you off the fastball just in time to throw the fastball," Toronto outfielder Steve Pearce said. "It's only a matter of time for somebody like that.
"Sometimes you'll feel the wrath of somebody when they're coming out of it," he added. "He's coming out of it -- you could tell."
New York scored its last two runs in the eighth on an error by catcher Luke Maile . They came in handy when Aroldis Chapman gave up two in the ninth before closing it out.
With a runner on, Headley went to his knees to snag a game-ending line drive .
Struggling reliever Dellin Betances, another one of New York's five All-Stars, struck out two in a scoreless eighth to protect a 2-1 lead. He was aided by Sanchez, who threw out Josh Donaldson trying to steal for an inning-ending double play .
Darwin Barney hit an RBI single in the seventh off Tanaka, who snared Maile's hard comebacker with a runner on second to end the inning and keep the Yankees ahead.
Pinch-hitter Kevin Pillar had an RBI double in the ninth, and Barney followed with a run-scoring single.
BLISTERING TAKE
Stroman developed a blister and was checked by a trainer in the fifth. He finished the inning but was pulled after that by Gibbons, who said the right-hander's finger was getting raw.
"Extremely frustrating. I feel like it's an epidemic that's happening across the big leagues now, a bunch of pitchers getting blisters, guys who have never had blisters before. So for MLB to turn their back to it, I think that's kind of crazy," said Stroman, who threw 79 pitches. "I have no theory. But obviously, I mean, it's not a coincidence that it's happening to so many guys all of a sudden. It's not a coincidence."
QUOTABLE
Betances on being elected to his fourth straight All-Star game by his peers around Major League Baseball: "Thank God that the players voted last week," Betances said. "I had a tough couple games."
FIRST IMPRESSION
Touted rookie Clint Frazier went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in his Yankee Stadium debut for New York.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: Stroman said he'll do everything in his power to make his next scheduled start against Houston this weekend. ... With afternoon games coming up the next two days, SS Troy Tulowitzki, C Russell Martin and Pillar were rested. "They need it," Gibbons said. "I've got to do what's best for them." All three players pinch hit in the ninth. ... RHP Aaron Sanchez (blister) rejoined the team and could come off the DL this week to start at home against Houston. Sanchez made his second minor league rehab start Sunday, allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Buffalo. He threw 76 pitches.
Yankees: Unable to figure out why 1B Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) is still hurting, general manager Brian Cashman said the team hasn't ruled out exploratory surgery. Cashman called that the "worst-case" scenario. "Obviously, there's something going on that we haven't been able to get our hands on," the GM said. "All the diagnostic testing showed the bone bruise has healed and yet he still has pain." Understandably, Bird didn't sound too keen about the idea. "I still think there's a lot of different options," he said. "Anytime you can avoid it, you want to avoid it." For now, Bird has been prescribed rest and will see specialists this week.
UP NEXT
CC Sabathia (7-2, 3.46 ERA) comes off the disabled list for the Yankees to start Tuesday against fellow lefty J.A. Happ (2-5, 3.71) and the Blue Jays. Sabathia has been sidelined since June 14 with a strained left hamstring. "I feel good. I'm ready to go," he said. New York also expects to activate reliever Adam Warren from the DL before the game. Warren has been out since June 16 because of right shoulder inflammation.
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More AP baseball coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Toronto - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Masahiro Tanaka pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Bautista singled to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Donaldson struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Smoak grounded into double play, third to shortstop to first, Bautista out at second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Marcus Stroman pitching for Toronto | TOR | NYY |
| Gardner grounded out to catcher. | 0 | 0 |
| Judge singled to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Sánchez singled to right, Judge to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Gregorius walked, Sánchez to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Headley hit by pitch, Judge scored, Sánchez to third, Gregorius to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Ellsbury walked, Sánchez scored, Gregorius to third, Headley to second. | 0 | 2 |
| Torreyes grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, Ellsbury out at second. | 0 | 2 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Toronto - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Masahiro Tanaka pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Morales struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Pearce struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Carrera singled to center. | 0 | 2 |
| Barney popped out to second. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Marcus Stroman pitching for Toronto | TOR | NYY |
| Carter flied out to center. | 0 | 2 |
| Frazier lined out to left. | 0 | 2 |
| Gardner grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Toronto - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Masahiro Tanaka pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Goins grounded out to first. | 0 | 2 |
| Maile struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Bautista walked. | 0 | 2 |
| Donaldson grounded out to third. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Marcus Stroman pitching for Toronto | TOR | NYY |
| Judge struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Sánchez grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 2 |
| Gregorius grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Toronto - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Masahiro Tanaka pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Smoak doubled to deep left. | 0 | 2 |
| Morales struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Pearce grounded out to third. | 0 | 2 |
| Carrera struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Marcus Stroman pitching for Toronto | TOR | NYY |
| Headley singled to left center. | 0 | 2 |
| Ellsbury singled to left, Headley to second. | 0 | 2 |
| Torreyes bunted into fielder's choice to pitcher, Headley out at third, Ellsbury to second. | 0 | 2 |
| Carter grounded into double play, third to second to first, Torreyes out at second. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Toronto - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Masahiro Tanaka pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Barney popped out to third. | 0 | 2 |
| Goins struck out looking. | 0 | 2 |
| Maile doubled to left. | 0 | 2 |
| Maile to third on passed ball by Sánchez. | 0 | 2 |
| Bautista struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Marcus Stroman pitching for Toronto | TOR | NYY |
| Frazier struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Gardner doubled to deep right. | 0 | 2 |
| Judge grounded out to second, Gardner to third. | 0 | 2 |
| Sánchez struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Toronto - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Masahiro Tanaka pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Donaldson popped out to second. | 0 | 2 |
| Smoak grounded out to pitcher. | 0 | 2 |
| Morales flied out to right. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Aaron Loup pitching for Toronto | TOR | NYY |
| Loup relieved Stroman. | 0 | 2 |
| Gregorius flied out to center. | 0 | 2 |
| Headley grounded out to third. | 0 | 2 |
| Ellsbury grounded out to second. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Toronto - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Masahiro Tanaka pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Pearce grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 2 |
| Carrera hit by pitch. | 0 | 2 |
| Carrera stole second, Carrera safe at third on throwing error by catcher Sánchez. | 0 | 2 |
| Barney singled to left center, Carrera scored. | 1 | 2 |
| Goins grounded out to pitcher, Barney to second. | 1 | 2 |
| Maile grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Danny Barnes pitching for Toronto | TOR | NYY |
| Barnes relieved Loup. | 1 | 2 |
| Torreyes flied out to center. | 1 | 2 |
| Carter walked. | 1 | 2 |
| Frazier struck out swinging. | 1 | 2 |
| Gardner struck out looking. | 1 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Toronto - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Dellin Betances pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Betances relieved Tanaka. | 1 | 2 |
| Bautista struck out swinging. | 1 | 2 |
| Donaldson walked. | 1 | 2 |
| Smoak struck out swinging. Donaldson caught stealing second, catcher to third. | 1 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| New York - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Ryan Tepera pitching for Toronto | TOR | NYY |
| Tepera relieved Barnes. | 1 | 2 |
| Judge singled to left. | 1 | 2 |
| Sánchez doubled to deep left, Judge to third. | 1 | 2 |
| Gregorius walked. | 1 | 2 |
| Headley doubled to deep right, Judge and Sánchez scored, Gregorius to third. | 1 | 4 |
| Ellsbury struck out swinging. | 1 | 4 |
| Torreyes grounded into fielder's choice to pitcher, Gregorius and Headley scored. | 1 | 6 |
| Bolsinger relieved Tepera. | 1 | 6 |
| Carter grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Torreyes out at second. | 1 | 6 |
| 4 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Toronto - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Aroldis Chapman pitching for New York | TOR | NYY |
| Chapman relieved Betances. | 1 | 6 |
| Morales doubled to deep right. | 1 | 6 |
| Pearce grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 6 |
| Pillar hit for Carrera. | 1 | 6 |
| Pillar doubled to left, Morales scored. | 2 | 6 |
| Barney singled to right, Pillar scored. | 3 | 6 |
| Tulowitzki hit for Goins. | 3 | 6 |
| Barney to second on wild pitch by Chapman. | 3 | 6 |
| Tulowitzki struck out swinging. | 3 | 6 |
| Martin hit for Maile. | 3 | 6 |
| Martin lined out to third. | 3 | 6 |
| 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Toronto Blue Jays | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Bautista RF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17 | .233 | .344 | .410 |
| Donaldson 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 22 | .243 | .353 | .466 |
| Smoak 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | .302 | .368 | .593 |
| Morales DH | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | .257 | .308 | .462 |
| Pearce LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | .261 | .313 | .454 |
| Carrera CF | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | .288 | .357 | .395 |
a-Pillar PH
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .252 | .303 | .409 |
| Barney 2B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .240 | .278 | .307 |
| Goins SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | .208 | .270 | .333 |
b-Tulowitzki PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .231 | .287 | .364 |
| Maile C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | .121 | .154 | .202 |
c-Martin PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .211 | .367 | .366 |
| Totals | 33 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 157 | |||
| a-doubled to left for E Carrera in the 9th b-struck out swinging for R Goins in the 9th c-lined out to third for L Maile in the 9th | ||||||||||
| BATTING 2B: Smoak (12, Tanaka); Maile (2, Tanaka); Morales (15, Chapman); Pillar (21, Chapman) RBI: Barney 2 (11), Pillar (20) GIDP: Smoak Blue Jays RISP: 3-11 (Martin 0-1, Pearce 0-2, Bautista 0-1, Tulowitzki 0-1, Carrera 0-1, Barney 2-2, Maile 0-1, Pillar 1-1, Morales 0-1) Team LOB: 6 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING SB: Carrera (5, 2nd base off Tanaka/Sánchez) CS: Donaldson (1, 2nd base by Betances/Sánchez) | ||||||||||
| FIELDING E: Maile (4, catch) DP: 3 (Barney-Goins-Smoak, Donaldson-Barney-Smoak, Goins-Barney-Smoak). | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Yankee Stadium, New York, NY |
| Attendance | 46,616 (93.9% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:11 |
| Weather | 86 degrees, partly cloudy |
| Wind | 8 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Jerry Meals, First Base - Ron Kulpa, Second Base - Chris Conroy, Third Base - Ed Hickox |
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