Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Game #65 NY Yankees (34-32) @ Toronto Blue Jays (33-32) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette drove in 3 runs, including a solo HR in a 6-5 loss to the Yankees

After splitting the four game series vs. the Red Sox, the Blue Jays returned home to take on the Yankees. The Blue Jays have won 6 of 9 games of the season series so far, outscoring the Bronx Bombers 33-25. The big story of the day is George Springer is set to begin a rehab assignment in Trenton as he finally nears a return to the Blue Jays lineup after missing all of 4 games with a quad injury that occured as he neared a return from an oblique injury suffered in spring training. Springer is expected to play 5 innings tonight in CF. The Blue Jays invested $150 million over 6 season for the former Astros CF. There was much controversy over his signing since he was involved in the cheating scandal that many say should have cost the Astros the World Series in 2017. The cheating scandal cost several perssonel, including manager Alex Cora and losing draft picks in ensuing drafts. Tonight, ace Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start. Jonathan Davis has been placed on the paternity list. Santiago Espinal was recalled from AAA and started at the hot corner. Bo Bichette got the half day off, serving as the DH with Joe Panik at 2B. Riley Adams was behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays start the home stand with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st on a sac fly by Teoscar Hernandez that scored Marcus Semien
  • The Yankees tied the game in the top of the 2nd as Gary Sanchez hammered a solo bomb to left
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd as Bo Bichette annihilated a solo shot to dead center 
  • The Yankees tied the game in the top of the 4th as Chris Gittens crushed a solo bomb to left-center 
  • The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a passed ball by Gary Sanchez that scored Joe Panik
  • Same batter, Bichette singled scoring Semien and Santiago Espinal
  • The Yankees got one back in the top of the 6th on a groundout by Miguel Andujar that scored Gio Urshela
  • Jordan Montgomery pitching line: 5.1IP5H 5R (4 earned) 4BB 4K 97 pitches (55 for strikes)
  • Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (all earned) 4BB 3K 92 pitches (58 for strikes)
  • The Yankees tied the game in the top of the 7th as Brett Gardner smashed a solo blast to left
  • Three batters later, DJ LeMahieu scored on a  wild pitch by Anthony Castro
  • The Yankees added a run in the top of the 8th as Clint Frazier doubled home Tyler Wade
  • Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect 9th for his 13th save of the season
  • Final score: Yankees 5=6 Blue Jays 5

My Take:

  • Hyun-Jin Ryu continues to work through a rough patch. It can't be helping having his personal catcher Danny Jansen out with a hamstring strain (although Jansen caught 20 pitches in BP today so could be getting close to a return. Today he gave up 3 runs (all earned on 5 hits while walking 4 and striking out 3 over 6 innings. The Yankees took him deep twice and manufactured a run on a ground out. Hopefully Ryu and Pete Walker can figure something out during his side session.
  • It was another rough one for the bullpen. Carl Edwards Jr. had to leave the game with discomfort in his left side. Anthony Castro gave up a game-tying HR in the 7th and Jordan Romano allowed a go-ahead double in the 8th with the run charged to Tim Mayza. Encouragingly Tyler Chatwood should have had a clean inning if he didn't flub the ball hit softly to him
  • Bo Bichette drove the offence with a solo HR and a 2-run single
  • Vlad extended his hitting streak to 6 games with a single in the 7th
  • Santiago Espinal also had a solid day going 3-4 with a run scored
  • The Blue Jays were 2-8 with runners in scoring position
  • Up next, the Blue Jays look to snap the 2-game skid. Ross Stripling gets the start. The Yankees will counter with ace Gerritt Cole