Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Game #11 NY Yankees (5-6) @ Toronto Blue Jays (5-6) - game recap

 

Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched into the 7th as the Blue Jays knocked off the Yankees 7-3

After a tough loss to Yankees ace Gerritt Cole, who retired the last fifteen Blue Jays batters he faced, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series with a win, sending their own ace Hyun-Jin Ryu to the mound. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after the night off yesterday. The Blue Jays were facing a pitcher, Jameson Taillon, who missed almost two seasons after a complex TJ surgery, much like Tim Mayza endured. I have a lot of respect for athletes that persevere through such a lengthy rehab and make it back to their former glory. Only Joe Panik and Randal Grichuk have ever faced this pitcher. The rest of the lineup remains the same as yesterday. Can Ryu stop the bleeding and get his team back to winning? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Josh Palacios singled home Randal Grichuk and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd on a sac fly by Randal Grichuk that scored Bo Bichette
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Marcus Semien whacked a solo shot to left
  • Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Bichette 
  • Jameson Taillon pitching line: 3.2IP 8H 5R (all earned) 1BB 3K 84 pitches (59 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 5th as Rowdy Tellez smash a solo bomb to right-center 
  • The Yankees got one back in the top of the 7th on a groundout by Rougned Odor that scored Gary Sanchez
  • Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 6.2IP 4H 1R (unearned) 1BB 7K 95 pitches (68 for strikes)
  • The Yankees got a pair back in the top of the 8th as Giocarlo Stanton singled scoring DJ Le Mahieu and Clint Frazier
  • The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Palacios scored on a sac fly by Bichette
  • Bichette and Guerrero Jr. both made outstanding plays on the final out
  • Final score: Blue Jays 7 Yankees 3

My Take:

  •  Hyun-Jin Ryu had his third straight quality start, allowing an unearned run on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 7. Ryu allowed 2 base runners through five innings and retired 11 in a row at one point. He was efficient as well, averaging about 12 pitches an inning. Can't stress enough what a great signing Ryu has turned out to be
  • Rowdy Tellez doubled his offensive output for the season, getting his second hit and home run on a solo shot.
  • Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Danny Jansen had at least one hit
  • Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the series and homestand with a matinee vs. the Yankees. Blue Jays righty Ross Stripling goes up against Yankees righty Corey Kluber. The winner tomorrow will move out of the basement in the AL East standings. After tonight's games, there is a four-way tie for 2nd with the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rays and Orioles all having identical 5-6 records. The Red Sox, after being last in the AL East last season, are currently 1st in the AL East with a record of 7-3