Game #66 NY Yankees (35-32) @ Toronto Blue Jays (33-33) - game recap

 

Ross Stripling threw 6.2 strong innings in a 3-2 loss to the Yankees

After the bullpen blew another lead, the Blue Jays were back at it and trying to snap a two-game skid. With a win, the Blue Jays would take over 3rd place in the AL East. It was going to be an interesting day for Blue Jays batters, who faced Gerritt Cole, a pitcher expected to be especially affected by the crackdown on the use of foreign substances on baseballs. Next week, pitchers caught using foreign substances could face 10 game suspensions. Carl Edward Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain. Travis Bergen and Patrick Murphy were both reinstated from the 60-day IL. Ross Stripling started for the Blue Jays. Reese McGuire was behind the plate. Bo Bichette was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the half day off as DH with Teoscar Hernandez in LF, Randal Grichuk in CF and Cavan Biggio in RF. Joe Panik was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the two-game losing streak? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Yankees opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a sac fly by Giancarlo Stanton that scored DJ LeMahieu
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Marcus Semien led off the inning with a solo blast to left
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Cavan Biggio smacked a solo blast to left-center
• The Yankees took the lead in the top of the 7th as Gary Sanchez annihiliated a 2-run bomb to left; also scoring Miguel Andujar
• Ross Stripling pitching line: 6.2IP 3H 3R (2 earned) 2BB 9K 101 pitches (69 for strikes)
• Gerritt Cole pitching line: 8IP 4H 2R (both earned)  1BB 4K 104 pitches (70 for strikes)
• Aroldis Chapman threw a scoreless 9th for his 14th save of the season
• Final score: Yankees 3 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Ross Stripling had another strong start, giving up three runs on three hits while walking 2 and striking out nine. It's unfotunate that he made one bad pitch that cost him the win
• The bullpen was solid, allowing just the walk given up by Rafael Dolis, who left the game immediately afterward complaining of no feeling in his pitching arm/hand, and a one out single to Stanton by Trent Thornton that was stranded at 1st base 
• Joe Panik was an adventure in the field tonight, with two throwing errors from the hot corner 
• Let's be real, the umpires cost the Blue Jays a win. First, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was called out at 3rd base when replays appeared to show he got back safely. The next batter, it looked like Gary Sanchez was going to be charged with a passed ball to put runners back on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, instead CB Buckner said Lourdes Gurriel Jr. fouled the ball off. Again, replay suggested otherwise. 
• The good thing about baseball is you play tomorrow
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to salvage a game in this series. It'll likely be a bullpen day tomorrow with Steven Matz on the COVID IL. The Yankees will counter with righty Michael King