After a crucial series sweep of the A's and 4 straight wins overall to end the home stand, the Blue Jays opened a crucial eight game in seven day road trip, beginning today at Yankee Stadium with a Labor Day matinee vs the Yankees. The Blue Jays and Yankees split the first twelve games of the season series with the Blue Jays outscoring the Yankees 42-44. Connor Overton was claimed off waivers by the Pirates. Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Kevin Smith was at the hot corner. Corey Dickerson was in CF. Could the Blue Jays make it five wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Marcus Semien whacked a solo blast to left
- A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked an opposite-field shot to right
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled scoring Teoscar Hernandez
- Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line; 6IP 3H 0R 0BB 6K 80 pitches (56 for strikes)
- Jameson Taillon pitching line: 7IP 3H 3R (all earned) 2BB 5K 94 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Teoscar Hernandez bashed a soo blast to left
- Six batters later, Semien drilled a grand slam to left; also scoring Randal Grichuk, Gurriel Jr. and Jake Lamb
- Final score: Blue Jays 8 Yankees 0
My Take:
- Hyun-Jin Ryu threw 6 solid shutout innings, scattering three hits, walking no one and striking out 6. Ryu retired the first seven batters he faced. He never allowed more than one base runner and nobody advanced beyond 1st base. Having his personal catcher Danny Jansen back and healthy is a big plus. Ryu left after 80 pitches with tightness in his pitching arm from throwing sliders
- The bullpen was solid, allowing a pair of hits while striking out 4 over the final 3 innings
- And the offense continues to rake. A red-hot Marcus Semien bashed two HR for 5 runs and Teo and Vlad added solo shots. Lourdes also singled home Randal Grichuk
- It's time to shut George Springer down until next season. As disappointing as it is that Springer will have missed most of the season, it is better in the long run for him to be 100% and the every day CF that he was signed on to be. The Blue Jays need to give him a good strength and conditioing program aimed at preventing injuries next year because this team needs to make the playoffs in 2022.
- In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays gained a game on the Yankees with the win. The Red Sox were leading in the 6th, the Mariners were set to face the Astros in Houston later today and the A's were idle. The Blue Jays are now 3 back of the Yankees and Red Sox for one of the wild card spots and a half game ahead of the A's, who are 3.5 back of the wild card game and 0.5 games back of the Mariners, who are 2.5 games back of a wild card spot
