Masahiro Tanaka is human after all.
Seeing the New York right-hander for the second time this season, the Chicago Cubs reached Tanaka for four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits to claim a 6-1 triumph over the Yankees on Tuesday, sending the former Japanese superstar to his first regular-season loss since Aug. 19, 2012.
Dating back to his time in Nippon Professional Baseball, Tanaka had gone unbeaten in 42 straight regular-season starts, posting a 34-0 mark, which included a perfect 6-0 record since signing with the Yankees in the offseason.
However, Tanaka (6-1) failed to keep the streak going, as he struggled through the elements at a rain-soaked Wrigley Field while receiving just one run of support thanks to a solid start from counterpart Jason Hammel.
Hammel (5-2) held the Yankees to one run on four hits with six strikeouts over 5 2/3 frames to pick up the win, while Mike Olt drove in three runs for the Cubs, who have won three straight on the heels of a three-game slide.
John Baker and Emilio Bonifacio each registered two hits, an RBI and a run scored in the victory.
Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter combined for four of New York's six hits, while Mark Teixeira drove in the lone run for the Yankees, who have lost two straight games.
[SportsNetwork.com]
