With all the NY Yankees rumors that have been swirling around the acquisition of Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees faithful finally got a glimpse of the future in Tanaka's first Spring Training start on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies.
In addition to the impression that his first start left on the NY Yankees, the Philadelphia Phillies left the field in Clearwater, Florida convinced that Masahiro Tanaka will be a force to be reckoned with.
"His split finger is going to be a force to reckon with," Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard stated after the NY Yankees' 4-3 victory.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd also chimed in, stating, "His fastball is explosive...Balls that are low that look like they are going to stay balls they are strikes."
The contest was delayed for nearly an hour and a half due to rain showers and the threat of a tornado--perhaps throwing the former Rakuten Golden Eagles standout off his game a bit.
"I felt I wasn't at the top of my game going on to the mound today," Tanaka said. "But overall including the results and everything I feel I did OK."
Masahiro Tanaka gave up a double with one-out to the aforementioned Marlon Byrd in the second, yet worked out of trouble by setting down Dominic Brown via a ground out to first and Carlos Ruiz with a fly out to right field.
In the third inning, the NY Yankees righthander was tagged for his first home run and earned run of the spring--giving up a two-out solo home run to Philadelphia Phillies' infielder Freddy Galvis.
Tanaka finished the day giving up just one run on two hits in three innings. He has surrendered four hits in total over five innings of work this spring.
He has not yet walked a batter.