Game #60 New York Yankees (39-18) @ Toronto Blue Jays (26-34) - game recap

Yankees CF Aaron Hicks broke the game open with a 3 run HR as the Bronx Bombers beat the struggling Toronto Blue Jays 7-2

After a tough road trip where the Blue Jays went 3-6, the team returns home hoping to build some momentum on a 6 game road trip against division foes NY Yankees (tonight and tomorrow) and Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees are coming off a split of a double header yesterday vs. Detroit. Marco Estrada is hoping June will be a more positive month for him after compiling a 2-6 record with a 5.68 ERA through the first 2 months of the season. Marcus Stroman is taking another step in his rehab from shoulder inflammation as he is slated to throw three innings in a simulated game this week. Hopefully he'll be sent on a rehab assignment soon. Here is today's game recap.

Game highlights

• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 6th as Tesoscar Hernandez hit a solo HR to left field
• Marco Estrada pitching line: 6IP 6H 1R (earned) 0BB 6K 97 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Yankees put 4 on the board in the top of the 7th as Miguel Andujar crushed a no-doubter upper deck grand slam to left scoring Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and Aaron Hicks
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Kevin Pillar hit one into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Yankees got three more in the top of the 8th as Hicks hit a 3 run HR that scored Giancarlo Stanton and Gregorius
• CC Sabathia pitching line: 7IP 3H 2R (both earned) 1BB 6K 89 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Final score: Yankees 7 Blue Jays 2

My take

• Marco Estrada had a great start tonight, pitching 7 strong innings and scattering 6 hits and 1 run over those innings. Estrada did well in mixing speed and location, keeping the Yankees batters off-balance. It's too bad reliever Sunghwan Oh could not hold the lead as he gave up a grand slam.
• Actually, only Tim Mayza had a clean inning. Seunghwan Oh coughed up the lead, giving up a grand slam after walking one and hitting Didi Gregorius in the foot. Aaron Loup walked a batter and gave up a three run HR. Joe Biagini gave up a single and threw a wild pitch. This is the direct result of the bullpen being way overworked  and having some relievers (Oh and Loup, for example) struggling a bit. The Blue Jays don't have an off-day for 8 more days, so they need the starters to go deep.
• The other stat that stands out for me tonight is 2 runs on 3 hits. It looks good in an inning, but bad if that is your offensive output for the entire game (oh and Justin Smoak drew a walk. The Yankees also scored all their runs off 2 HR, but the difference is they had the bases loaded and 2 runners on base when those long balls were hit. The Blue Jays have to start manufacturing runs and getting runners on base. They cannot win hitting solo HR against such a powerful lineup that the Yankees have (95 HR after tonight)
• Up next, the Blue Jays look to avoid being swept for the second time in three series as Sam Gaviglio pitches against Yankees righty Sonny Gray