Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Game # 42 New York Yankees (21-21) @ Toronto Blue Jays (24-18) - game recap

 

Jonathan Davis hit a 2-run HR to lead the Blue Jays to a 2-1 victory over the Yankees

After a huge come from behind win last night thanks to a massive 10-run 6th inning capped off by a grand slam by catcher Danny Jansen, the Blue Jays were looking to make it two in a row against the Bronx Bombers and to improve their playoff positioning. Tonight's tilt featured a battle of two 2015 Mariners teammates (lefty JA Happ and righty Taijuan Walker). Jonathan Davis got his first start of the season at RF in place of the injured Teoscar Hernandez. Cavan Biggio was back at his natural 2B position, Joe Panik was at the hot corner and everyone else was in the same position as last night. Could the Blue Jays beat their old teammate? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Jonathan Davis smacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Joe Panik
  • Taijuan Walker pitching line: 4IP 2H 0R 5BB 3K 88 pitches (43 for strikes)
  • The Yankees got one back in the top of the 5th on a sac fly by Mike Tauchman that scored Luke Volt
  • JA Happ pitching line: 6.1IP 4H 2R (both earned) 2BB 10K 113 pitches (68 for strikes)
  • Rafael Dolis pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
  • Final score: Blue Jays 2 Yankees 1

My Take:

  • It was a tough go for Taijuan Walker who had zero command in the 1st inning, walking the bases loaded. He only allowed two base hits and no runs, but the walks and hit batter just killed his pitch count. He was at 58 pitches through 2 innings and needed another 30 to get through the next 2 innings. I read somewhere at some point and I think it might have been an ex-pitcher-turned-broadcaster, that something like 7 out of every 10 starters, the average pitcher has his best stuff going and the rest of the time he kind of has to feel it out (maybe he has a decent curve but the fastball command isn't great). Velocity looked ok, so it might just mean bullpen work needed.
  • After exploding for 10 runs a night ago, the Blue Jays offence scratched across 2 runs on a home run. The Blue Jays got a runner on base in each of the first 5 innings, but other than the 2-run dinger in the 2nd, they couldn't do anything with it.. In fact, the final 10 Blue Jays batters in a row were retired, 5 on strikeouts. The Blue Jays struck out 13 times on the night
  • The Blue Jays relievers also retired the final 10 batters they faced, including 3 strikeouts
  • Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series sweep and 4th win in a row. Tanner Roark starts for the blue Jays and the Yankees will counter with righty Delvi Garcia