Game #5 - Toronto Blue Jays (3-2) @ New York Yankees (3-2) - game recap

 

The red-hot George Springer had a pair of hits in a 4-0 shutout loss to the Yankees

After shutting out the Yankees yesterday on the strength of a dominant pitching performance from Alek Manoah and George Springer, who scored once and drove in three runs, the Blue Jays were looking to make it two straight wins over the Bronx bombers and 4 of 5 to start the season. Lefty Yusei Kikuchi made his Blue Jays debut. Tyler Heineman got the start behind the plate with Alejandro Kirk getting the half day off as DH. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row vs. the Yankees? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Yankees opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Aaron Hicks whacked a 2-run blast to right-center; also scoring DJ LeMahieu
• The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 4th as LeMahieu scored on a throwing error by catcher Tyler Heineman
• Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 3.1IP 5H 3R (2 earned) 2BB 2K 84 pitches (49 for strikes)
• Nestor Cortes pitching line: 4.1IP 3H 0R 0BB 5K 72 pitches (46 for strikes)
• The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Josh Donaldson scored on a sac fly by Giancarlo Stanton
• Final score: Yankees 4 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Once again, a Blue Jays starter failed to make it through 5 innings. In three of five starts, the bullpen has been asked to get the majority of the outs. Making his Blue Jays debut tonight, Yusei Kikuchi lasted 3.1 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2. Kikuchi's night began walking the first batter he faced on 8 pitches and walked the last batter he faced on 5 pitches. In between, he gave up a 2-run HR and had a run scored against off a throwing error. Kikuchi's only clean inning was the 3rd inning. He'll be needed as a 5th starter for at least another few starts as Nate Pearson builds back up after dealing with mono.
• The bullpen shut the Yankees down for the most part, holding the bronx bombers to a single run on 2 hits and a walk (all on lefty Anthony Kay, who was making his 2022 debut) while striking out 3.
• Offensively, it was the worst night of the season for the Blue Jays, who were held to just 5 hits, 2 of which came off the bat of the red hot George Springer and a reached base on  a throwing error.
• For the second straight night, the Blue Jays failed to draw a walk
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to take the lead in the 4-game series. Jose Berrios will be looking to exact some revenge from opening day where he was unable to escape the 1st inning. The Yankees will counter with ace Gerritt Cole