Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Game #55 New York Yankees (32-23) @ Toronto Blue Jays (28-27) - game recap

 

Cavan Biggio smashed a solo HR in a 12-1 loss to the Yankees 

After a solid win against the Yankees last night, the Blue Jays were looking to keep it going tonight against Yankees ace Garrett Cole. Tanner Roark got the start for the Blue Jays. Rafael Dolis remained unavailable and day-to-day with a sore knee. Alejandro Kirk started back to back games behind the plate after a stellar performance at the plate last night. Randal Grichuk got the half day off as DH tonight with Jonathan Davis in CF. Initially Vlad was supposed to DH, but Travis Shaw was scratched with back spasms. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in the field after DH'ing last night. Could the Blue Jays make it three in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Yankees opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Aaron Hicks tripled home Aron Judge
  • On the next batter, Hicks scored on a wild pitch by Tanner Roark
  • The Yankees added a run in the top of the 4th as Gio Urshela singled home Gleyber Torres
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Cavan Biggio smashed a solo bomb to dead center 
  • The Yankees added a run in the top of the 5th as Judge singled home Kyle Higashioka
  • A batter later, Hicks singled scoring Judge and DJ LeMahieu 
  • Two batters later, Torres singled home Hicks
  • Tanner Roark pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 6R (all earned) 0BB 4K 72 pitches (40 for strikes)
  • The Yankees added a run in the top of the 8th as Brett Gardner singled home Urshela
  • A batter later, Higashioka doubled home Gardner and Clint Frazier. The initial home run call was overturned upon review 
  • Garrett Cole pitching line: 7IP 5H 1R (earned) 0BB 7K 108 pitches (77 for strikes)
  • The Yankees added a run in the top of the 9th as Torres singled scoring Judge
  • A batter later, Urshela singled home Mike Tauchman
  • Final score: Yankees 12 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

  • It was another so-so start for Tanner Roark, who is competing for one of the three starter's spots in the playoffs. He gave up 6 runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out four. Since he made some comments about getting pulled too early on September 9, he's allowed 14 runs on 15 hits while walking 5 and striking out 11 in 12.1 innings, not great. At this point, it looks like Ryu and Taijuan Walker will be under a lot of pressure to pitch deep into their starts because there aren't many options available that can pitch any kind of length. Jacob Waguespack, Ryan Borucki, Roark, and Matt Shoemaker can definitely throw a few innings.
  • The bullpen options also look questionable. Wilmer Font was roughed up the second day in a row pitching in a low leverage situation. He gave up a couple of runs in the 9th. Chase Anderson gave up three runs in the 8th to put the game out of reach, if it wasn't already. Ryan Borucki should a solid option from the left side. Jordan Roman is expected back to close/set up a close game. Rafael Dolis has also earned the trust of Charlie Montoyo.. Anthony Bass has also been a solid addition. The big question is how much the relievers have left in the tank after being used so much the last 2 months
  • Offensively, it was not a good night. The only run came off a solo bomb by Cavan Biggio. Beyond that, the biggest threat the Blue Jays had was on back-to-back singles to start the 6th (that turned into 2 chances to bring a couple in with runners on 1st and 2nd with one out). Alas, Alejandro Kirk was thrown out at home trying to score on a ground ball to Gio Urshela and Jonathan Davis was thrown out at 3rd base on the next play. The final 9 Blue Jays were outs.
  • Defensively, it wasn't a good game either. Teoscar Hernandez misplayed a line drive hit out to him, allowing Aaron Hicks to make it to 3rd base on a triple. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made a bad play on a ball, bringing home two more runs. It's these kinds of plays that will mean an early exit in the playoffs.
  • Up next, the Blue Jays look to bounce back after the rough one tonight. Robbie Ray gets the start against Jays killer Masahiro Tanaka