Game #155 Toronto Blue Jays (63-92) @ New York Yankees (101-55) - game recap

Mike Ford was 3-4 witha run scored and 2 RBI as the Yankees came from behind to knock off the Blue Jays 7-2

After an epic comeback last night to avoid the dreaded 100 loss season, the Blue Jays were back at it trying to make the Yankees lives miserable. NY is still playing for home field advantage through the World Series. After Friday's loss, they were 1.5 games back of Houston for the best record in baseball. Today, Yankees batters had to contend with rookie TJ Zeuch, who was making his second career start and 4th career appearance. After Anthony Alford failed in the leadoff spot yesterday, Jonathan Davis was batting leadoff as Bo Bichette continues to work his way through the MLB's concussion protocol. Richard Urena played in Bichette's customary SS position. Justin Smoak got the complete day off with Brandon Drury at 1B today. Luke Maile got the start behind the plate for the 1st time since straining his oblique back on July 28th prior to that afternoon's game. It could be one of his last games in a Blue Jays uniform with Reese McGuire having established himself as a legit MLB catcher, Could the Blue Jays make it 6 wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Jonathan Davis singled home Brandon Drury
• The Yankees tied it in the bottom of the 5th as Giancarlo Stanton doubled home Aaron Judge
• Two batters later, Mike Ford singled scoring Stanton
• TJ Zeuch pitching line: 4IP 4H 2R (both earned) 0BB 6K 70 pitches (45 for strikes)
• The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Stanton hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
• Three batters later, Clint Frazier doubled home Ford
• Two batters later, Kyle Higashioka singled scoring Tyler Wade and Frazier
• James Paxton pitching line: 6IP 3H 1R (unearned) 0BB 7K 87 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th as Teoscar Hernandez doubled scoring Randal Grichuk
• The Yankees added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Ford singled scoring Cameron Maybin
• Final score: Yankees 7 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• TJ Zeuch threw 4 solid innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits, while walking none and striking out 4. After giving up a single to Blue Jays killer Brett Gardner to start the game, Zeuch retired 12 straight Yankees, including 4 straight strikeouts, before a leadoff Aaron Judge double to start the 4th. I disagree with pulling him after just 4 innings and one bad inning. He was at 70 pitches and still looked strong. Zeuc has one more start left this season. He could also be an option out of the bullpen on the final day of the regular season
• Luke Maile's return to the lineup wasn't great. He struck out in both AB's he had and was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th
• Jonathan Davis, Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Randal Grichuk,Teoscar Hernandez and Richard Urena all had one hit in the game. Brandon Drury broke up the perfect game with a grounder that was bobbled by Didi Gregorius
• Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the road portion of the schedule with a matinee against the Yankees. Trent Thornton pitches against Yankees flame thrower Luis Severino, who will make his second start of the season after missing the whole year with rotator cuff inflammation and a subsequent oblique strain