After two losses in a row, the Blue Jays were looking to regroup after a much-needed off-day yesterday. They opened the week with a brief two-game set at Yankees Stadium. The Blue Jays and Yankees split 4 games here April 11-14 and the Yankees gave the Blue Jays their first series loss of the season in Toronto a week ago. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing Sunday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in LF after playing 1B Sunday. Alejandro Kirk served as DH tonight. Could the Blue Jays break the 2-game losing streak? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as George Springer led off the game with a solo blast to left
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd as Santiago Espinal doubled scoring Alejandro Kirk and Matt Chapman
- Luis Severino pitching line: 4.2IP 5H 3R (all earned) 2BB 8K 97 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the 6th as Giancarlo Stanton bashed a 3-run shot to the opposite field in right; also scoring DJ Lemahieu and Aaron Judge
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 5.1IP 2H 2R (both earned) 3BB 7K 89 pitches (54 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 8th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. doubled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- A batter later, Gurriel Jr. scored on a sac fly by Kirk
- The Yankees won it in the bottom of the 9th on a 3-run walk-off bomb to left by Judge; also scoringJ ose Trevino and LeMahieu
- Final score: Yankees 6 Blue Jays 5
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi had a decent outing allowing 2 runs on 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 7 in 5.1 innings. It's encouraging that Kikuchi was able to pitch into the 6th inning. Still too many walks though. Kikuchi retired 12 in a row at one point.
- The umpiring left a lot to be desired tonight. First, a 3-run HR by Lourdes Gurriel Jr was overturned to a 2-run double. In the 6th inning, both reliever Yimi Garcia, who had drilled Josh Donaldson and pitching coach Pete Walker were both ejected. Garcia was deemed to have intentionally thrown at Donaldson. Manager Charlie Montoyo was allowed to remain in the game. He too was ejected the next inning after a high and tight pitch to Bo Bichette. The overturned home run had a bigger effect on the outcome. Had the 3-run HR been allowed to stand, the 3-run HR by Judge would not have ended the game, but rather put the Yankees within 1 with 1 out.
- Jordan Romano blew a save for the second time this season. He has altered his delivery. Romano used to load with a muchy deeper squat. Tonight, he just did a smal bend at the waist. Hopefully he's not injured and the change is to improve his outcomes. Romano has been hit hard in recent outings, but he has done enough to record 3 straight saves before tonight's blown save
- The offence gave the Blue Jays an opportunity to win with clutch hitting in the 8th to tally a pair of runs late for a 2-run cushion.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Teoscar Hernandez (struck out 3x), Matt Chapman (drew a walk) and Tyler Heineman (only had one AB) had at least one hit. The Blue Jays were 1-6 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for the series split and try to avoid being swept for the 1st time this season. Jose Berrios starts against Yankees righty Jameson Taillon
