TAMPA — CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda will combine to make $39 million this coming season, have amassed 273 major league victories, appeared in 341 games and have proven New York isn’t too big for them.
Yet, as Sabathia and Kuroda each tossed two crisp shutout innings against the Phillies on Saturday, the crowd at George M. Steinbrenner reacted as if they were chasing Quaaludes with cheap wine.
It took Masahiro Tanaka jogging to the mound to start the fifth inning to get a rise out of the crowd, and the Yankees’ $175 million investment was greeted with a substantial cheer from the sun-drenched gathering.
Finally, the stranger from Japan was going to throw a pitch as a Yankee against a batter who didn’t dress in the same clubhouse. No longer would the reports sent around the world be based on bullpen sessions and live batting practice.
When it was over and the top three Yankees starters hurled the hosts to a 4-0 victory, Tanaka’s first impression was positive.
“I played catch with him [Friday] and the splitter is dirty,’’ Sabathia said. “We have a chance to be good.’’
If this were a preview of what’s to come from their top three starters, the Yankees will draw comfort from an area that was a question mark entering camp.
“That’s how you draw it up,’’ manager Joe Girardi said of a combined six shutout frames. “I think there’s a lot of ability there. I don’t anticipate throwing three in one game, but I think it’s important that all started off on the right foot.’’
Tanaka arrived from Japan with a reputation as a strike-thrower, and 22 of the 32 pitches he fired were strikes. The fastball reached 94 and the split was at its nastiest in the sixth, when Tanaka made Ben Revere look helpless with an 0-2 split clocked at 87 mph. Tanaka allowed two hits and fanned three.
“He looks very good, very professional pitcher,” a scout who watched Tanaka said. “Above-average velocity. He has an idea how to pitch. The splitter tumbles. If I was the Yankees, I’d be very happy about what they got.”
Asked if he could learn anything by watching the Phillies’ swings, Tanaka said that is for later.
“It’s difficult to say for the first time the batters faced me,’’ said Tanaka, who explained he has seven pitches and threw three splitters. “It will probably be a little different the next time around. At this time, it’s hard to say.’’
The endless questions a year ago regarding a drop in Sabathia’s velocity wore on the staff ace. So when the speed gun clocked him at 88 mph Saturday, he was asked where he expected the heater to be this season.
“Where it is,’’ Sabathia said.
As the exhibition season progresses, it’s expected Sabathia’s velocity will increase. And even if it doesn’t, the large lefty won’t fret.
“If it gets better it will, and if not, it won’t,’’ Sabathia said of the gun readings on the fastball.
As for Kuroda, he was satisfied with his outing and being the middle man in the three-man rotation.
“It was quite an experience for me and overall it was a good thing,’’ said Kuroda, who required 17 pitches to record six outs and was sent to the bullpen for additional pitches.
Sabathia, the favorite to be Girardi’s Opening Day starter in Houston on April 1, allowed two hits and fanned one in the first two frames. Kuroda worked the third and fourth innings, allowing one hit and whiffing two.
It was just two innings for each of the three starters and nothing more than the first spring training game. Yet, had Tanaka been hit hard, the wolves would have started howling early.