Saturday, August 18, 2018

Game #122 Toronto Blue Jays (55-67) @ New York Yankees (76-46) - game recap

Giancarlo Stanton launched a solo HR just before the skies opened up ending the game early as the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 7-5

There was clarity to the stability of the team before this one started. Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins announced that John Gibbons will remain the Blue Jays manager until the season ends with a decision made on his future during the off-season. Russell Martin returned behind the plate after filling in at third base for a few games after Yangervis Solarte went down with an oblique strain. Would the weather hold off tonight? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights

  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 1st as Kendrys Morales singled home Devon Travis
  • Two batters later, Kevin Pillar singled to score Justin Smoak
  • Two batters later, Aledmys Diaz singled, scoring Morales and Pillar
  • The Yankees got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Didi Gregorius tripled home Aaron Hicks
  • A batter later, Miguel Andujar doubled, scoring Gregorius
  • The Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Neil Walker launched a 3-run blast to right-center that also scored Greg Bird and Gleyber Torres
  • The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 5th as Travis singled home Curtis Granderson
  • Lance Lynn pitching line: 4IP 6H 5R (all earned) 3BB 5K 99 pitches (62 for strikes)
  • Marcus Stroman pitching line: 4IP 6H 5R (all earned) 2BB 2K  88 pitches (54 for strikes)
  • The Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Hicks scored on a fielder's choice hit by Torres
  • The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Giancarlo Stanton crushed a solo HR to right-center
  • Final score: Yankees 7 Blue Jays 5 (game called with 2 outs in the 7th due to Mother Nature crying because the Blue Jays suck)
My Take

  • Mother Nature decided to rain on the parade on this one, fittingly right after Giancarlo Stanton launched a home run. It is the fourth straight game where increment weather delayed the game. This time, the game ended with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th. The last time the Blue Jays had a rain shortened game was July 18, 2012 against the Yankees and they lost 6-0 that day.
  • Both teams sent 27 batters to the plate, of course neither team recorded 27 outs with the game ending after 7 innings.
  • Tough one for Stroman who was victimized for 5 runs on 6 hits and a pair of walks over 4 innings. Clearly the blister is affecting his pitching. He relied on the sinker and fastball tonight and avoided using his curve and slider tonight. Gibbons and the training staff need to force Stroman to skip at least one start and get that blister healed properly. He's hurting himself and the team by trying to pitch without being able to use his full arsenal. Stroman has too much pride, which is commendable, to skip a start over a blister.
  • Kendrys Morales had a good night at the plate with a pair of hits in 3AB, a RBI and a run scored
  •  Up next, provided Mother Nature cooperates, the Blue Jays look to even the series as Sean Reid-Foley makes his second career start facing Yankees ace Luis Severino