Gary Sanchez Hits 2 HRs, Alex Cobb’s Elbow Untouched In Yankees’ 11-5 Win Over Rays

Just as he has on multiple other occasions, Gary Sanchez had the New York Yankees intently watching him from the edge of the dugout as he stepped up to the plate on Wednesday, and the rookie slugger delivered yet another strong outing.

Gary Sanchez Hits 2 HRs, Alex Cobb’s Elbow Untouched In Yankees’ 11-5 Win

Sanchez homered for the fourth straight game, clearing the fences twice and driving in a career-high five runs to lead the Yankees to an 11-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

The 23-year-old Dominican catcher became the quickest player to reach 19 home runs, achieving this in his 45th major league game.

“I never thought it was going to be like this,” Sanchez said through an interpreter. “At the same time, you work very hard so you can have good numbers during the season.”

With the win, the Yanks moved within 1 1/2 games of the Orioles for the second American League Wild Card, also needing to surpass the Tigers, Astros and Mariners.

Sanchez blasted a three-run shot in a four-run second inning off Rays starter Alex Cobb (1-1), then added his 19th homer in 43 games on a solo drive in the sixth off reliever Justin Marks. 

Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka earned his 4th win of the season, despite allowing a career-high four home runs. Manager Joe Girardi said Tanaka could have done better, but still complimented him for getting through his outing.

“He didn’t have a good slider and he didn’t have a good split, so when you don’t have your two main pitches, it’s pretty hard to navigate through a lineup,” Girardi said. “I give him credit for giving us six innings and buckling down and just finding a way to get through it.”

Cobb gave up seven runs on nine hits and one walk in 1 1/3 innings. His ERA increased from 2.06 to 6.16. The righty made his fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery, and his surgically repaired elbow seemed to make it through the game fine.

“No concerns with the elbow,” Cobb said. “I’m very thankful that I’m healthy. There’s no physical questions.”

Rays manager Kevin Cash recognized his starter wasn’t at his full potential because of his recent surgery.

“In fairness to Alex, we’ve all got to allow him to go through this a little bit,” Cash said. “He’s been impressive with what he’s done for us in three starts, and we all know he’s more of the guy he’s shown up until today.”

Bobby Wilson, Evan Longorio, Brad Miller and Corey Dickerson all blasted solo homers in the third, thus setting a Rays franchise record for homers in an inning.

Miller added a second home run in the eighth– his 30th of the season– off Adam Warren to record his eighth career multi-homer game. Donovan Solano hit his first Yankees homer during a three-run ninth.

“Obviously, tonight was a slugfest, and we were on the wrong side of it,” Miller said.

Sanchez was struck on the left arm by a back swing in the ninth, but remained in the game and later said he was fine.

Tanaka (14-4) won his seventh consecutive decision. He was held to a 7-0 lead entering the bottom of the third before the Rays teed off.

Tanaka joined Zack Greinke, Collin McHugh and Justin Verlander as the only pitchers to allow four homers in an inning this season. He became the first Yankees pitcher to accomplish this since Chase Wright did it on April 22, 2007 at Boston.

The two teams will face off again on Thursday night for the finale of this three-game series at Tropicana Field. Right-hander Luis Cessa (4-2, 4.44 ERA), a rookie, will make his seventh Major League start, facing off against Rays lefty Blake Snell (5-8, 3.87 ERA), who will make his 18th career start.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 21: Starting pitcher Alex Cobb #53 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field on September 21, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images)