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| Tanaka struggled with his control. Photo Credit: Adam Hunger/USA Today |
Masahiro Tanaka’s second straight clunker of a start included yielding a career high five runs and ten hits as the Yankees were defeated by Cleveland on Tuesday night.
By: Sunil Sunderraj
Former New York player Nick Swisher clobbered a two run homer over the wall to deep right center field to give the Indians the lead for good 4-3. Michael Brantley blasted a solo shot in the 7th to extend the lead to 5-3. Brantley ended up going 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI’s.
The Yankees jumped out to another early lead in the 1st inning off a broken bat flare by Mark Teixeira into left field. Chris Dickerson kicked the ball away which enabled Brett Gardner to score.
New York added a second run when Indians catcher air mailed a throw on a double steal attempt that allowed Jacoby Ellsbury to cross home plate.
After the 3rd inning, the Yankees were hitless and did not have a runner on base. New York ended up with only four hits on the night. The lack of offense continues to be alarming as they cannot find and generate any consistent offense from game to game. Starting Cleveland pitcher retired 13 out of the last 14 New York batters he faced.
Cleveland responded in the bottom of the 1st when Brantley doubled down the right field corner bringing home Jason Kipnis who had earlier singled and stole 2nd base. New York went back up 3-1 on a ground out by Brett Gardner that scored Ichiro Suzuki from 3rd base. The Indians cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the fifth as Brantley notched his second double of the game down the left field line that scored Chris Dickerson all the way from first base.
Newly acquired pitcher Brandon McCarthy (3-10) from the Arizona Diamondbacks will make his New York debut on Wednesday against Josh Tomlin (5-6). 