Game #72 New York Yankees (42-27) v. Toronto Blue Jays (34-37)

 

Game #71 - New York Yankees (42-27) @ Toronto Blue Jays (34-37) - game recap

 

Kevin Gausman fired 7 stellar innings in a losing effort as the Yankees came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 3-1

After a huge win on Alejandro Kirk's long-awaited return to the lineup thanks to a huge night from the offense, largely thanks to Kirk, Kazuma Okamoto (who hit the 5th deck with a mammoth HR), George Springer and Vlad, the Blue Jays were trying to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 10th series win of the season. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Vlad got the complete day off with Charles McAdoo at 1B. Jesus Sanchez was in LF, Nathan Lukes was in CF and Yohendrick Pinago was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 10th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened thr scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Kazuma Okamoto whacked a solo blast to left
• The Yankees tied it in the top of the 4th as Jasson Dominguez smacked a solo blast to right
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 7IP 1H 1R (earned) 2BB 7K 105 pitches (66 for strikes)
• Cam Schlittler pitching line: 7IP 6R 1R (earned) 4BB 7K 101 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Yankees took the lead in the top of the 9th as Paul Goldschmidt hammered a 2-run bomb to the 2nd deck in left; also scoring Cody Bellinger
• David Bednar pitched a perfect 9th for his 13h save of the season
• Final score: Yankees 3 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman fired 7 strong innings, giving up a run on a hit while walking 2 and striking out 7. His only mistake went over the wall in right. Gausman had a a nasty splitter working that was producing a ton of hit and miss all day long. He retired the last 10 batters he faced.
• The bullpen gave up a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 2 over the last two innings. The difference in this one, unfortuntely, was closer Louis Varland getting taken deep for the first time this season.
• The offense had another clunker where they were unable to capitalize on a pitcher who gave up hits and walks. Kazuma Okamoto went deep in the 3rd inning, but that was about it. The Blue Jays loaded the bases in the 2nd and 8th innings and could not score. The Blue Jays had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out in the 4th inning, no runs scored. They are definitely missing Don Mattingly.
• Both teams were 0-2 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were an abysman 1-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try and notch their 10th series win of the season and end the home stand with a win. Patrick Corbin starts against Yankees righty Will Warren

Game #71 New York Yankees (41-27) v. Toronto Blue Jays (34-36)

 

Game #70 - New York Yankees (41-27) @ Toronto Blue Jays (34-36) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk drove in a pair and scored once in an 8-5 win over the Yankees

After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the homestand against the Yankees. The two teams split the 4-game series in NY a couple of weeks ago with the Blue Jays outscoring the Yankees 14-13. Alejandro Kirk was activated off the 60-day IL, Tyler Heineman was DFA'd, Daulton Varsho was placed on the 10-day IL and Davis Schneider was recalled from AAA-ball. Trey Yesavage got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Davis Schneider got the start in LF. Andres Gimenez was at SS and Ernie Clement was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Alejandro Kirk doubled scoring Ernie Clement
• A batter later, Kazuma Okamoto annihilated a 2-run bomb to the 5th deck in left; also scoring Kirk
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 2nd as George Springer whacked a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Andres Gimenez
• The Yankees got one back in the top of the 5th on a sacy fly by Paul Goldschmidt that scored JC Escarra
• A batter later, Cody Bellinger smacked a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Ben Rice
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Springer
• A batter later, Kirk singled home Guerrero Jr.
• Ryan Weathers pitching line: 4.1IP 5H 6R (all earned) 1BB 2K 82 pitches (52 for strikes)
• Trey Yesavage pitching line: 5IP 4H 5R (all earned) 6BB 3K 81 pitches (42 for strikes)
• The Yankees got a pair back in the top of the 6th as Trent Grisham singled scoring Spencer Jones and Jose Caballero
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Clement doubled scoring Springer
• Louis Varland threw a perfect 9th for his 12th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 8 Yankees 5

My Take:

• Trey Yesavage battled through 5 innings, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits while walking 6 and striking out 3. Command was an issue once again  - just too many walks and you can't be doing that against a team that is capable of going yard. He got fortunate last time he walked a bunch of batters against the Orioles when he was able to produce a bunch of double plays to escape the jams,. Not so much tonight with the Yankees scoring 3 times off him. Hopefully he just needs to tweak a few things when he throws his side session in a few days.
• The bullpen gave up 3 hits, walked a batter and struck out 5 in 4 scoreless innings. Tyler Rogers  and Louis Varland both retired every batter they faced
• Welcome back Alejandro Kirk! The Blue Jays catcher made an immediate impact, overturning the first pitch of the game on an ABS challenge (he was unsuccessful in a later ABS challenge). Kirk went 3-5 at the plate with 2 RBI and a run scored. Kazuma Okamoto drover him in on a monster home run to the 5th deck in left! George Springer went deep, drew 3 walks and scored three times. Vlad drove in one run and scored a run. Nice job by the first 4 batters in the lineup. The only downside was seeing Davis Schneider go 0-2 - he should no longer be guaranteed a roster spot in spring training.
• The Yankees were 4-2 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 4-7 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 10 series win of the season. Ace Kevin Gausman starts against Yankees righty Cam Schlittler

Game #70 New York Yankees (41-26) v. Toronto Blue Jays (33-36)