Yankees 5, Rays 9: Terrible Tanaka’s total tragedy

The best part of a sad gameThat game was unpleasant. I don’t have a full narrative or anything today, just a series of thoughts from that way-too-long-and-miserable game.

Masahiro Tanaka was not good. The very first batter he faced, Corey Dickerson, hit an opposite field home run to stake the Rays to an early lead. That was actually the shortest of the three home runs Tanaka gave up today. It was also Tanaka’s fourth first inning home run of the season, underscoring how much the Yankees ace has struggled early.

Evan Longoria hit a home run, because of course. It was also maybe the worst pitch Tanaka threw all game, a thigh high 93 mph fastball. Bad location, bad selection, bad pitch. Plus,…