Tanaka Dazzles, Yankees Belt 4 Homers In Rout Of Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. (CBSNewYork/AP) — He started brilliantly, paused for only the smallest of moments, and then just kept rolling on.
The Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka is in the midst a special kind of stretch, none of which had to be explained to the Los Angeles Angels after he pitched New York to an easy 7-0 victory Friday night.
Tanaka retired his first 11 hitters, gave up two singles, and then just kept frustrating the Angels for the rest of his 7 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits, struck out nine, and for the fourth consecutive game did not walk a batter.
"We faced him before, but tonight he was a little crisper and had his pitches working," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He pitched ahead in the count and threw a good game for them."
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The Yankees supported Tanaka (10-4) with four home runs off Jered Weaver, solos shots by Jacoby Ellsbury, Ronald Torreyes, Didi Gregorius and Brian McCann.
It was the first career home run for the 23-year-old Torreyes, who had a career-high four hits. It was quite an output for the seldom-used infielder.
"I think he's handled it extremely well and I think it's because his work ethic allows him to have days like today," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Because every day he considers pregame his game and he works really hard at it."
Catcher Gary Sanchez had three hits for New York, becoming the first Yankee rookie with four consecutive multi-hit games since Robinson Cano in 2005.
It was more than enough support for Tanaka, who lowered his ERA to 3.24. The Yankees have won 10 of his last 12 starts.
Tanaka left the game with two outs in the eighth after he allowed two singles. Left-hander Tommy Layne walked the bases loaded, but Girardi called on Adam Warren to face Mike Trout. The right-hander caught him looking with a fastball on a full count to secure the shutout.
Weaver (8-11) is going the opposite direction of Tanaka. He is winless in his last six outings. The four home runs he allowed matched a career-high.
"I couldn't keep the ball in the yard," Weaver said. "I didn't fool too many people tonight.
"Nothing hurts worse than letting your teammates down and I've been doing that on a pretty consistent basis. It's definitely a tough pill to swallow."
Weaver has allowed more home runs (34) than any pitcher in baseball. His career ERA against the Yankees is now 6.24 - his highest against any team in the American League.
"At times he made some really good pitches, but he was having some trouble getting pitches where he wanted to and those guys didn't miss them," Scioscia said. "So we'll just turn the page on that."
The Yankees have beaten the Angels in all five meetings this season. The Angels have lost 13 of their last 15 games overall, falling a season-high 20 games under .500 (51-71).
ESCOBAR LEAVES GAME
Angels 3B Yunel Escobar was attempting to bunt his way on in the fourth inning when the ball went directly off his bat and hit him in the face. He quickly left the game. Scioscia said Escobar, who is hitting .320, was hit in the nose and cheek, and the DL was a possibility.
"We're going to take it one step at a time, but it's a possibility," Scioscia said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Yankees: 3B Chase Headley (sore Achilles) was held out, but is expected to return to the lineup Saturday. ... OF Brett Gardner was out with a sore foot. ... The Yankees said RHP Nathan Eovaldi underwent successful Tommy John surgery, in addition to repairing his right flexor tendon.
Angels: 1B C.J. Crow (broken bone in left hand) has rejoined the team after his rehab stint at Triple-A Salt Lake City and is expected to be activated Saturday.
UP NEXT
Yankees: RHP Luis Cessa (2-0) is scheduled to make his first major league start. In eight games as a reliever this season, the 24-year-old has a 5.30 ERA.
Angels: RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-10) will be looking for his first victory with the Angels in his fourth start. He is 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA in his first three starts.
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