Games #48 and 49 Toronto Blue Jays (25-24) @ NY Yankees (29-21) - game recap (record will reflect what it was after the second game)

 

Alek Manoah threw six shutout innings for his first MLB win in a 2-0 victory over the Yankess, who prevailed in the second game of the double header 5-3 over the Blue Jays

After a rainout yesterday, the much anticipated debut of #5 prospect Alek Manoah, who began his pro career in Vancouver after being drafted 11th overall by the Blue Jays in the 2019 MLB Draft. Travis Bergman was placed on the 10-day IL with a left shoulder impingement. Tommy Milone was transfereed to the 60-day IL. Reese McGuire started behind the plate in the first game, Danny Jansen was behind the plate in the second game. Vlad DH'd in the 1st game and was in the field the 2nd game. Randal Grichuk was in CF the 1st game and DH'd the 2nd game. Rowdy Tellez was at 1B the 1st game. Jonathan Davis was in CF the 2nd game. Joe Panik was at the hot corner in the 1st game and Santiago Espinal was at the hot corner the 2nd game. Could the Blue Jays sweep the Yankees? Here are today's game recaps.

Game Highlights (1st game):

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Marcus Semien whacked a solo blast to left
• A batter later, Bo Bichette  smacked a solo blast to left
• Domingo German pitching line: 5.2IP 3H 2R (both earned) 2BB 5K 99 pitches (58 for strikes)
• Alek Manoah pitching line: 6IP 2H 0R 2BB 7K 88 pitches (60 for strikes)
• Jordan Romano pitched a perfect 7th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Yankees 0

My Take (1st game):

• What an excellent MLB debut for Alek Manoah. He fired 6 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out 7. He walked the 1st batter he faced on four pitches then struck out Aaron Judge and Rougned Odor. At one point he retired 8 in a row.
• Offensively, 2 solo HR were enough to win this game.
• The Blue Jays had just four base runners the whole game. They were 0-1 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, game 2 of this double header. Robbie Ray pitches against Yankees lefty Jordan Montgomery

Game Highlights (2nd game):

• The Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the 1st as Gio Urshela doubled scoring DJ LeMahieu. Aaron Judge was thrown out at home on the play
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Bo Bichette smacked a 3-run blast to left-center; also scoring Marcus Semien and Danny Jansen
• The Yankees tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Judge hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring LeMahieu
• The Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the 4th as Gary Sanchez anihilated a solo bomb to dead center 
• Jordan Montgomery pitching line: 4.2IP 5H 3R (all earned) 2BB 1K 73 pitches (44 for strikes)
• The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 5th on a sac fly by Judge that scored Tyler Wade
• Robbie Ray pitching line: 5H 5R (4 earned) 2BB 5K 80 pitches (47 for strikes)
• Chad Green pitched a scoreless 7th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Yankees 5 Blue Jays 3

My Take: (2nd game):

• It was a rocky start for Robbie Ray, who gave up 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5. He pitched in and out of trouble all night, although he did retire 5 in a row at one point. Definitely one of those nights where he was trying to figure out which pitches were working.
• After providing the insurance run in game 1, Bo Bichette briefly gave the Blue Jays the lead with a 3-run blast in the 3rd inning. Unfortunately Aaron Judge crushed a 2-run bomb in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game
• Every Blue Jays starter had one hit, except Danny Jansen, who drew a walk
• The Blue Jays were 1-3 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Cleveland. Weather could be a factor with rain in the forecast Friday and Saturday. Hyun-Jin Ryu gets the start Friday against Indians righty Eli Morgan, who will be making his MLB debut