Friday, June 17, 2022

Game #64- New York Yankes (48-16) @ Toronto Blue Jays (37-27) - game recap

 

Gabriel Moreno was 3-4 and drove in a pair of runs in a 12-3 loss to the Yankees

After getting routed by the Orioles yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a series against the Yankees, who are 10 games ahead of the Blue Jays for the AL East division title. The Bronx Bombers are on an historic pace and are on track to surpass the 1906 Chicago Cubs and 2001 Seattle Mariners for most regular season wins at 116. They have won 6 of 9 against the Blue Jays and have outscored the Blue Jays 35-22. Lefty Matt Gage and infielder Otto Lopez was recalled in his place. The Blue Jays had to drop a pitcher with the pitcher limit dropping by one tonight. Ross Stripling got the start with Gabriel Moreno behind the plate. George Springer and Matt Chapman were both back in the field after complete days off yesterday in CF and at the hot corner respectively. Santiago Espinal was at SS with Bo Bichette getting the full day off tonight. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Gabriel Moreno singled scoring Alejandro Kirk 
  • The Yankees ties the game in the top of the 4th as Gleyber Torres doubled scoring DJ LeMahieu
  • Three batters later, Torres scored on a ground out by Kyle Higashioka
  • Ross Stripling pitching line: 3.2IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 3K 84 pitches (58 for strikes)
  • The Yankees added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Giancarlo Stanton smashed an opposite-field 2-run blast to left; also scoring Anthony Rizzo
  • A batter later, LeMahieu drilled a solo bomb to dead center 
  • Two batters later, Gallo doubled home Torres
  • Five batters later, Rizzo drilled a grand slam to the second deck in left; also scoring Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Gallo and Aaron Judge
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Kirk blasted a solo shot to left
  • Jordan Montgomery pitching line: 6IP 3H 2R (both earned) 1BB 5K 93 pitches (54 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Moreno singled home Matt Chapman
  • The Yankees added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th as Gallo annihilated a 2-run bomb to the third deck in right; also scoring Torres
  • Final score: Yankees 12 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

  • A day after Kevin Gausman could not make it through the 3rd inning, Ross Stripling recorded just 4 more outs. Stripling gave up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3 over 3.2 innings. The timing of two early exits by starting pitchers is not great given by Monday teams will only be allowed 13 pitchers. They also have a struggling starter in Yusei Kikuchi scheduled to toe the rubber Sunday. Further, the Blue Jays will have just one off-day in the next 3 weeks - next Wednesday. They play 19 in 19 including a double header against the Rays July 2 to make up one of the games postponed by the lockout.
  • Trent Thornton and Trevor Richards were both lit up in the 5th inning when the Yankees scored 8 times on 6 hits, a hit batter and an intentional walk. A day ago, the Blue Jays had 6 runs scored against them in the 3rd inning to put the game out of reach. Tonight was worse because three runs had already scored before an out was recorded. Thornton was responsible for 5 of the runs. Richards gave up the grand slam.
  • The two catchers, Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno, did the damage offensively tonight. Moreno drove in a pair and Kirk scored twice and drove himself in on his solo blast.
  • The Blue Jays were 2-10 with runners in scoring position
  • Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid. Alek Manoah starts against Yankees righty Jameson Taillon