Well, the first game didn't exactly go according to plan. It was good to see so many new faces in the Blue Jays lineup. Almedys Diaz will be the Blue Jays starting SS for the next 2 months at least with Tulo on the 60 day DL. Curtis Granderson was one of the lone bright spots picking up one of the two hits the Blue Jays managed on opening day. Tyler Clippard, John Axford and Seung-hwan Oh each saw at least part of an inning of work. All gave up at least one hit and Axford and Clippard saw runs scored against them. Here is today's game recap
Game Highlights
- Yangervis Solarte made a huge defensive play in the 2nd, throwing out Didi Gregorius at the plate
- Brandon Drury doubled 3 batters later to plate Gary Sanchez
- Randall Grichuk answered right back in the bottom half of the inning hitting a solo shot with one out on the first pitch of the at bat
- Drury picked up his second RBI of the game, singling to left with 2 outs, scoring Gregorius
- this time Tyler Wade did the damage, doubling to center scoring Gregorius and Neil Walker ending Aaron Sanchez's night
- Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 5.2IP 8H 4R (all earned) 4BB 2K 89 pitches (48 strikes)
- Masahiro Tanaka pitching line: 6IP 1 run (earned) 0BB 8K 79 pitches (61 strikes)
- the Jays comeback fell short in the bottom of the ninth as Steve Pearce and Solarte hit back to back doubles
- final score: 4-2 Yankees
My Take:
- baby steps, baby steps. The Blue Jays doubled their offensive output with 2 runs instead of one. It's interesting to note that four of the five hits were extra base hits (3 doubles and a home run)
- Aaron Sanchez had a successful outing in that he made it through his opening day start without having blister issues. Sanchez looked good with the movement of his pitches. A good start to build on
- Masahiro Tanaka continues to baffle Blue Jays batters. He limited the Jays to 3 hits and threw all but 18 of his 79 pitches for strikes. This tells me that he was hitting his spots and keeping the Jays batters off balance
- there has to be major concern for Josh Donaldson. He was 0-4 at the plate tonight and struck out three times. I think it's best for the Jays to shut him down until he gets healthy. Having him DH is taking a lineup spot from Kendrys Morales and clearly, judging from opening night, he shouldn't be in the field.
- today was a much better effort from the bullpen. They shut the Yankees down for the final 7 outs, striking out 4
- Blue Jays debuts:
- Yangervis Solarte made his first start of the season at third base. He had a good night, throwing out Didi Gregorius at the plate in the 2nd and driving in one of the only 2 Jays runs on the night with a double in the 9th. With Donaldson not likely to be in the field for the foreseeable future, look for Solarte to take his place at third base.
- Gift Ngoepe came in as a defensive replacement in the 9th. He field 2 grounders cleanly. Ngoepe could see some starts at SS or 3B while Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki get healthy
- Next up the Blue Jays face the big lefty CC Sabathia while the Blue Jays counter with last year's opening day starter Marco Estrada
