After a rough homestand that saw the Blue Jays lose 6 straight and 7 of 10, the Blue Jays hit the road opening a series against the Yankees.. The Blue Jays have won 4 of 6 against the Yankees so far. Bad news on the injury front. David Phelps will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing lat surgery. Steven Matz got the start. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after the day off yesterday. Joe Panik was at the hot corner today. Randal Grichuk was back in the field at CF. Rowdy Tellez was the DH. Could the Blue Jays snap the 6 game losing streak? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whacked a 2-run screamer to right-center; also scoring Bo Bichette
- Corey Kluber pitching line: 3IP 2H 2R (both earned) 2BB 5K 58 pitches (31 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 4th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays added 2 more runs in the top of the 7th on a fielder's choice hit by Santiago Espinal and an ensuing throwing error by Yankees SS Gleyber Torres that scored Randal Grichuk and Rowdy Tellez
- The Yankees got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Kyle Higashioka singled home Clint Frazier
- Steven Matz pitching line: 6.2IP 6H 1R (earned) 0BB 10K 112 pitches (70 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Grichuk hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Yankeees got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Higashioka doubled home Rougned Odor
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Yankees 2
- Steven Matz was excellent tonight, allowing a run on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 10. Matz threw a season-high 112 pitches, a great sign with his injury history. He struck out the side to start the game and struck out 5 of the first 6 batters he faced. Nine of the ten strikeouts were swings and misses; one was off a foul tip. With the bullpen struggling, the Blue Jays needed a strong start from Matz
- The bullpen was solid, givnig up an unearned run, one hit and walking three batters while striking out 3.
- Offensively, the bats were on fire tonight with three home runs and some solid base-running to force a throwing error. Vlad took over the MLB lead in HR with his 16th dinger
- Every starter had at least one hit except Joe Panik. Marcus Semien, Vlad, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Bo Bichette and Randal Grichuk all had multi-hit days
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series win. Weather could be a factor with scattered thunderstorms in the forecast. Assuming the game goes ahead, the pitching matchup will feature the MLB debut of Blue Jays #5 prospect Alex Manoah. Yours truly got to watch him pitch when he was in Vancouver. The Yankees will counter with righty Domingo German.
