After a sweep-avoiding, 2-1 win over the A's last month that snapped a three game losing streak, many Yankees players praised Masahiro Tanaka for his ability to turn things around.
The 25-year-old rookie, entering tonight 11-3 with a 2.10 ERA, led the team to a victory they arguably had to get, giving his teammates confidence to take nine of their next thirteen games.
Now obviously, the Yanks' current future is unknown, although you have to think that Tanaka snapping another skid this evening will at least do something, as the youngster put together a solid performance in a 7-4 win over the Twins.
For most of his outing, Tanaka wasn't necessarily dominant, but in the end, he still got through 7 innings allowing just 4 earned runs, helping him collect W #12.
In the early going, #19 did give up a pair that put the Bombers in an early 2-0 hole, but after getting a three-run home run from Carlos Beltran and another solo shot from Zealous Wheeler (his first career hit) in the top of the fifth he seemed to settle down, even if he didn't eventually collect a quality start.
Later on in the seventh, the Pinstripes' bats would again back up their ace in exciting fashion, putting a three-spot on the board when Brendan Ryan doubled down the third-base line, Brett Gardner singled to center, and Derek Jeter hit into a unique forceout to pretty much end the game.
Those three trips around the bases also caused Twins Pitcher Phil Hughes to be removed, with his final line reading 6 1/3 innings of 7-run ball.
After Tanaka's departure, Dellin Betances and David Robertson combined for two more scoreless frames, officially clinching the victory, the Yankees' first since last Friday and 42nd in 84 contests this season.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)