Game #60 New York Yankees (38-21) @ Toronto Blue Jays (22-38) - game recap

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. knocked in the winning run with an RBI single as the Blue Jays edged the Yankees 4-3 for their first win in a week.

After a winlesss road trip, the Blue Jays started a three game series tonight against the Yankees. Blue Jays killer Masahiro Tanaka was on the mound for the Bronx Bombers. Cavan Biggio got his first career start in RF (demoted to the 6th spot in the batting order) with Eric Sogard occupying 2B and batting leadoff. Danny Jansen got the start behind the plate. Clayton Richard started for the third time in a Blue Jays uniform. He was looking to go more than four innings this time, and he's probably pretty close to where you want your starter to be in terms of pitch counts. Could the Blue Jays beat their arch nemesis? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Yankees opened the scoring in the top of the 4th as Clint Frazier hammered a 2-run Bomb to left-center; also scoring Aaron Hicks
• Clayton Richard pitching line: 4.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 3BB 4K 87 pitches (52 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 5th as Randal Grichuk smashed a solo blast to dead center
• Three batters later, Freddy Galvis crushed a 2-run blast to right-center; also scoring Cavan Biggio
• Three batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Eric Sogard
• Masahiro Tanaka pitching line: 6IP 6H 4R (all earned) 2BB 2K 85 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Yankees got one back in the top of the 8th as Hicks crushed one to right
• Ken Giles got the final 4 outs of the game for his 11th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 4 Yankees 3

My Take:

• Clayton Richard had a decent start, pitching into the 5th inning for the first time. He gave up a pair of runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. It was a tough night for pitchers with Angel Hernandez, arguably the worst umpire in the league behind the plate tonight. His strike zone was questionable at best. 
• Finally the bats woke up in the 5th inning, scoring four times on Masahiro Tanaka on a pair of home runs and an RBI single. Tanaka appeared to be frustrated with the strike zone and started babying his pitches instead of just chucking like he usually does. Tanaka had a 1-hitter going through four innings until the bats woke up.
• The bullpen also did a good job, giving up one run on four hits and 2 walks over the game's final 4.1 innings. Not surprisingly, Ken Giles was a tad rusty since he's basically been pitching once a week in meaningless situations. This was his first save opportunity since May 19.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to win their first series since sweeping Oakland April 26-28, right here in Toronto. James Paxton will be back on the mound at Roger's Center for the first time since he threw a no-hitter here May 8, 2018. The Blue Jays will counter with rookie righty Trent Thornton