Game #20 - Toronto Blue Jays (12-8) @ New York Yankees (12-8) - game recap

 

Brandon Belt drove in 4 runs and scored one himself in a 6-1 victory over the Yankees

After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a weekend series against the Yankees at Yankees Stadiium. Last season, the Yankees won the season series 11-8, outscoring the Blue Jays 83-63. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. George Springer was back in the field after DH'ing Wednesday. Vlad got the half day off tonight as DH with Brandon Belt at 1B. Cavan Biggio got the start at 2B. 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 top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bashed a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring George Springer 
• The Yankees got one back in the bottom of the 2nd as Oswaldo Cabrera smacked an opposite field solo jack to right 
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th as Brandon Belt belted a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Daulton Varsho
• Domingo German pitching line: 6IP 5H 4R (all earned) 2BB 6K 91 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 6IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 3K 90 pitches (54 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 8th as Belt doubled scoring Bo Bichette and Guerrero Jr.
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Yankees 1

My Take:

• Yusei Kikuchi had another strong start, firing 6 innings, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. He would like to have the pitch he threw to Oswalso Cabrera that went over the short porch in right, but other than that he was solid. Kikuchi retired the final 4 batters he faced.
• The bullpen gave up just one hit while walking none and striking out 4 over the final 3 innings
• Offensively, it was the Brandon Belt and Vlad show tonight. Vlad got things started in the 1st inning by hammering a 2-run bomb into the Blue Jays bullpen. Belt drove in the other 4 runs, scoring one himself on a 2-run shot, his first in a Blue Jays uniform
• The Blue Jays tightened things up and made sure they were in the batter's box on time (on Wednesday, they were called for 3 pitch count violations)
• Up next, the Blue Jays go for their second straight win and 5th series win of the season. It will be a battle of the aces with Alek Manoah pitching against Yankees righty Gerritt Cole