Tanaka impresses all around in 2-hit gem

ST. PETERSBURG — Masahiro Tanaka scrambled off the mound and darted directly toward the runner between second and third bases, undeterred by Steve Pearce’s desperate dekes as he slapped a tag on the Rays’ designated hitter, ripping his execution directly from the fundamental playbook.

Tanaka impressed the Yankees with his agility on an unassisted fifth-inning putout, but as he picked up the win in a 4-1 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field, they considered all 21 of the right-hander’s outs from Friday’s effort to be equally splendid.  

“I think it’s important as a pitcher to be able to field good, as well,” Tanaka said through an interpreter. “I always have that in mind, and I always try to prepare myself to make those kinds of plays.”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi joked that Tanaka’s ease in executing the putout might prompt an appearance as a pinch-runner in a National League park.

“It was incredible,” Girardi said. “He was quicker than I thought. Very heads-up. He didn’t fall for any fakes, he ran right at him. He did it perfectly.”

There had been no traffic on the basepaths through the first four innings, as Tanaka …

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