After taking 2 of 3 from the Rangers to open the 2022 season, the Blue Jays hit the road for the first time in the young season opening a 4-game series at Yankee stadium. Last season, the Blue Jays were 44-38 on the road. The Blue Jays were 11-8 in the season series last season, outscoring the Yankees 79-68. Alek Manoah got the start. He was looking to build on a strong rookie season where he went 9-2 in 20 starts with a 3.22ERA and 127 and 40 walks. Alejandro Kirk was behind the plate. George Springer was back in CF after DH'ing yesterday. Zack Collins made his Blue Jays debut as DH tonight. Could the Blue Jays get their first road win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as George Springer drilled a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Santiago Espinal
- Jameson Taillon pitching line: 5IP 5H 2R (both earned) 0BB 6K 72 pitches (53 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Springer doubled scoring Espinal
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 6IP 1H 0R 4BB 7K 89 pitches (52 for strikes)
- Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 3 Yankees 0
My Take:
- Alek Manoah picked up right where he left off last season, dominating an AL East rival. Tonight, he held the Bronx Bombers to a single hit and 4 walks over 6 innings while striking out 6. His most difficult inning was the 3rd when he walked the bases loaded. Manoah got Giancarlo Stanton to grounds out to end the inning. After walking Joey Gallo to start the 4th inning, Manoah retired the final 9 batters he faced
- The bullpen was pretty solid giving up 3 hits and a walk over the final 3 innings. Adam Cimber was dominant in his outing today, retiring all 5 batters he faced. Jordan Romano gave up a pair of hits, but was helped by a huge DP.
- Offensively, George Springer, Santiago Espinal and Teoscar Hernandez combined to go 9-12. The rest of the lineup was 1-21. Espinal and Springer were responsible for all three runs (Espinal scored twice and Springer scored once and drove in three with a 2-run HR and a double)
- The Blue Jays were 0-7 with runners in scoring position and they drew no walks.
- Matt Chapman saw his average dip below the Mendoza line. After today's game, he's hitting a paltry .143 and he struck out three more times toniG
- Up next, the teams play the 2nd game in the 4-game set this week. Tomorrow night will be a battle of the lefties as Yusei Kikuchi makes his first regular season start in a Blue Jays uniform against Yankees southpaw Nestor Cortes
