NEW YORK — If the coronavirus shuts it all down early, the Yankees will lose a whole year’s worth of owning the Red Sox.
For the first time in a long time, the gulf between the rivals is that wide, and it’s Boston standing in New York’s shadow.
That was clear for the second straight night as Gio Urshela’s might and an impressive bullpen performance gave the Yankees a 5-2 win over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
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Urshela hit a grand slam in the second inning that basically sealed the game, giving the Yankees a 5-0 lead. Aaron Judge’s first-inning solo shot was his fourth home run in as many days — the first time he’s done that in his career. Judge’s blast went 455 feet and left at 110.8 mph, according to Statcast.
Masahiro Tanaka started for the first time this season, and for the first time since he escaped near-tragedy.
Wearing a protective Kevlar plate under his cap, Tanaka felt good enough to take the mound after Giancarlo Stanton’s 112-mph line drive hit him in the head during a July 4 workout. Finally past his mild concussion, Tanaka turned in a good-enough performance, lasting 2 2/3 innings and giving up two runs. He struck out three and touched 94 mph.
The Yankees, who had little trouble Boston on Friday night, improved to an American League East-best 7-1. Boston fell to 3-6, placing them at the bottom of the division.
The score might have been more lopsided had Gleyber Torres not lifted a lazy fly ball to center field with the bases loaded to end the fourth.
Turns out, trading Mookie Betts wasn’t going to help them win in 2020. Who knew.
Boston scored twice in the second inning off Tanaka.
Zander Bogaerts’ doubled brought home Andrew Benintendi and Kevin Pillar. While Benintendi scored easily, the Yankees could have gotten Bogaerts at second base if shortstop Gleyber Torres had held onto DJ LeMahieu’s relay through on the tag. Instead, he dropped it, and Pillar raced home as the ball rolled toward shortstop.
That started a line of Yankees relievers who go the job done. Luis Avilan continued to impress in his first year with the club. In his third outing of the season, Avilan pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings before handing the ball to rookie Nick Nelson, who couldn’t have pitched better. Nelson — in his first time on an MLB mound — threw three clean frames, striking out four and walking two.
David Hale got into trouble in the ninth, putting runners on the corners with two outs. He was able to strike out Christian Vazquez to end it, but it wasn’t clear why manager Aaron Boone stuck with Hale. Boone didn’t even warm up Adam Ottavino or Zack Britton. Instead, he warmed up Mike King, a rookie.
Hours before the game, the Yankees re-instated Tanaka from the 10-day injured list and designated catcher Chris Iannetta for assignment.
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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
The Link LonkAugust 02, 2020 at 01:04PM
https://www.nj.com/yankees/2020/08/yankees-flex-muscles-on-red-sox-in-easy-win-masahiro-tanaka-returns-rapid-reaction.html
Yankees flex muscles on Red Sox in easy win, Masahiro Tanaka returns | Rapid reaction - NJ.com
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