Tanaka Doesn't Disappoint In Debut, Yankees Blank Phillies
TAMPA, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Masahiro Tanaka allowed two hits and struck out three over two scoreless innings in his first spring training game for the New York Yankees.
The Japanese star entered in the fifth inning of Saturday's 4-0 win over Philadelphia. Some fans stood when Tanaka walked to the mound to a loud ovation.
Tanaka signed a $155 million, seven-year contract in January. He was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA last year while leading Rakuten to its first Japan Series title.
Darin Ruf, the first batter Tanaka faced, swung and missed the right-hander's first two pitches before lining a single. After getting a pair of flyballs, Tanaka struck out a swinging Cesar Hernandez.
In the sixth, Tanaka fanned a swinging Ben Revere before Ronny Cedeno blooped a single. All-Star Domonic Brown went down swinging and pinch-hitter Kelly Dugan flied out.
The Yankees said the game was carried by three TV networks in Japan.
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