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Tanaka, Gardner, Figueroa lead Yankees over Athletics 6-2

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, left, tips his cap as he leaves the mound after New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, center, took Tanaka out after he had pitched seven and two-thirds innings in a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium in New York, Thursday, July 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, left, tips his cap as he leaves the mound after New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, center, took Tanaka out after he had pitched seven and two-thirds innings in a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium in New York, Thursday, July 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

By Associated Press July 9, 2015 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Masahiro Tanaka allowed two hits over 7 2-3 innings, Brett Gardner hit a first-inning home run and learned midgame he had been picked for his first All-Star team, and the New York Yankees rallied past the Oakland Athletics 6-2 Thursday.

Cole Figueroa doubled twice in his Yankees debut, grounding his first over first base in the fourth inning and down the right-field line. Jacoby Ellsbury followed with a tiebreaking, two-run single over the very same inside corner of the bag.

Tanaka (5-3) ended a four-start winless streak, the longest drought of his 1½-year major league career. He set season highs for innings and pitches (114), striking out six and walking one. One of the runs off him was unearned.