NEW YORK — Masahiro Tanaka handed the ball to Yankees manager Joe Girardi as fans gave a big ovation, and the usually undemonstrative pitcher tipped his cap three times: once while walking off the mound, again when crossing the foul line and a third time to his teammates as he entered New York's dugout.
The 28-year-old followed two of his worst big league starts with one of his best.
Tanaka pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning , struck out 13 and walked none in a remarkable turnaround, but he wound up a hard-luck loser when the Oakland Athletics burst ahead against the Yankees' bullpen in a 4-1 win Friday night.