Tanaka fans 10 in relief in final tuneup
TAMPA, Fla. -- As Spring Training draws to a close, Hiroki Kuroda and Masahiro Tanaka gave the Yankees more reason to feel good about their rotation, pitching New York to a 3-0 victory over the Marlins on Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Coming on in relief of Kuroda, Tanaka was dominant, striking out 10 while holding the Marlins to three hits over six innings.
Scheduled to start the Yanks' fourth game of the year on April 4 in Toronto, Tanaka wrapped up his first spring with the Yankees with a 2.14 ERA, striking out 26 and walking three in 21 innings.
Kuroda pitched three innings of three-hit ball, preparing to take the mound in New York's second game of the season on Wednesday in Houston. Kuroda walked none and struck out four, finishing the spring with a 4.76 ERA.
'I think all my pitches were good,' Kuroda said through an interpreter. 'My breaking balls were moving, and my two-seamer was really sharp.'
Starter Kevin Slowey pitched three perfect innings for Miami, striking out two in his sixth appearance and third start of the spring.
Carlos Marmol, Dan Jennings, A.J. Ramos and Mike Dunn followed Slowey and combined to hold the Yankees hitless through seven innings, before Steve Cishek allowed three hits and two runs in the eighth. Kelly Johnson doubled, and Brian Roberts' single plated Eduardo Nunez, who pinch-ran for Johnson. Yangervis Solarte then tacked on an RBI single.
The Yankees got on the board in the fourth against Marmol, as Brett Gardner flashed his speed, reaching on an error and stealing twice before coming home on a Brian McCann groundout.
Up next: Ivan Nova (2-1, 3.66 ERA) will get the ball as the Yankees host the Marlins in a 1:05 p.m. ET Spring Training finale at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla, on Saturday (watch free on ). Right-hander Tom Koehler (1-1, 1.50) will start for Miami.
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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