After splitting shutout wins in the first two games of the 4-game series with the Yankees, the Blue Jays were looking to take the lead in the series and jump into 2nd place in the AL East. Jose Berrios got the start. Berrios was looking to avenge a disastrous opening day start where the Blue Jays righty couldn't even get out of the 1st inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the half day off as DH with Raimel Tapid in LF. Alejandro kirk got the start behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays beat the Yankees and take control of 2nd place in the AL East? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whacked a solo blast to dead center
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd as Guerrero Jr. bashed a 2-run blast to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- The Yankees got one back in the bottom of the 5th as Anthony Rizzo drilled a solo bomb to right-center
- A batter later, Aaron Judge hammered a solo bomb to left-center
- Three batters later, DJ LeMahieu doubled scoring Josh Donaldson
- Gerritt Cole pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 3R (all earned) 1BB 6K 85 pitches (54 for strikes)
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R (all earned) 3BB 5K 80 pitches (50 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 7th as George Springer singled home Cavan Biggio
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 8th as Guerrero Jr. belted a solo bomb to left
- Four batters later, Matt Chapman singled scoring Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- The Yankees got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Gleyber Torres smashed a solo blast to right-center
- Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 4th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Yankees 4
My Take:
- Jose Berrios had a much better second start, piching well until the 5th inning when he coughed up a three-run lead courtesy of back to back home runs and a run scoring single. Berrios gave up 3 runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5 over 5 innings. Unlike opening day, he was able to escape the 5th inning after he ran into trouble. He had to contend with base runners in every inning, but was able to successfully escape every inning but the 5th and final inning,
- The Blue Jays got two injury scares tonight. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had his hand stepped on in the 2nd inning by Aaron Hicks. Thankfully, he was able to stay in the game and hit two more home runs (he knocked one out of the park in the 1st inning as well). Teoscar Hernandez left the game in the 6th inning after tweaking his side swinging the bat. Don't be surprised if he joins Danny Jansen, already out with a strained obliqie of his own, on the IL. Cavan Biggio and Raimel Tapia will be the backup options when Springer needs a day off.
- Jordan Romano continues to wreak havoc on the Blue Jays consecutive saves list. He's still well behind the MLB record for consecutive saves, held by Eric Gagne (84 consecutive saves).
- It was the Vlad show offensively. Guerrero Jr. was a perfect 4-4 at the plate with 3 HR and 4 RBI. Even more impressive most of the offensive show happened after his hand was stepped on while making the final out of the 2nd inning
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was the only other Blue Jay to reach base multiple times with a single and a walk
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series win, weather permitting (thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow night). Kevin Gausman starts against Yankees righty Luis Severino
