Yanks' Streak Comes to Crashing End

The Yankees' run of success despite a massive injury wave was never going to avoid interruption, but last night's game, the finale of a 4-game set at Angel Stadium of Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels, was one heck of an interruption.

Masahiro Tanaka started, and cruised through the 1st 4 innings. He was backed by smart offense. Tyler Wade led off the 3rd with an infield single, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, and scored on a DJ LeMahieu single. Gio Urshela made it 2-0 with a solo home run in the 4th. A wild pitch and a Gleyber Torres single gave the Yankees 2 more runs in the top of the 5th.

But, just as the Angels blew a 5-0 lead the night before, the Yankees returned the favor by blowing a 4-0 lead. Tanaka fell victim to "onebadinningitis" in the bottom of the 5th. As is so often the case, when Tanaka fails, it was because of the gopher ball: He gave up 2-run homers to Tommy La Stella and Kole Calhoun.

For once, a Yankee manager let a starting pitcher stay in the game too long. Aaron Boone let Tanaka begin the 6th. But he allowed another run. Relievers Stephen Tarpley and Jonathan Holder didn't help. The Yankees loaded the bases in the top of the 8th, but only got a lone run-forcing walk out of it, and that was it.

Angels 11, Yankees 5. WP: Noe Ramirez (1-0). No save. LP: Tanaka (2-2).

So, after taking 3 out of 4 in Anaheim, a place that has historically given them trouble, the Yankees head up the Pacific Coast, for a rare Interleague series away to one of the former National League teams from New York City, the San Francisco Giants. Here are the prospective pitching matchup:

* Tonight, first pitch at 10:15 Eastern Time (7:15 local): James Paxton vs. Madison Bumgarner.

* Tomorrow afternoon, 4:05: J.A. Happ vs. Derek Holland.

* Sunday afternoon, 4:05: Domingo German vs. Dereck Rodriguez.