Alek Manoah threw seven shutout innings in a 3-2 loss to the Yankees |
After a solid win over the Yankees thanks to a 4-RBI effort from Brandon Belt and 6 strong innings, the Blue Jays were looking for their 2nd straight win and 4th series win of the season. Alek Manoah got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Whit Merrifield was in LF and Daulton Varsho got the start in CF. Santiago Espinal was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row vs. the Yankees and their 5th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Gerritt Cole pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 0R 2BB 4K 96 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 7IP 2H 0R 1BB 5K 85 pitches (57 for strikes)
- The Yankees opened the scoring in the bottom of the 8th as Anthony Volpe drilled a 2-run shot t o the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Oswald Peraza
- The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 9th as Danny Jansen whacked a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Alejandro Kirk
- The Yankees walked it off in the bottom half of the inning as DJ LeMahieu singled home Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
- Final score: Yankees 3 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Alek Manoah was outstanding, firing 7 shutout innings, giving up a pair of hits while walking 1 and striking out 5. He retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced.
- The bullpen was not as sharp, giving up three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out none. Yimi Garcia gave up a 2-run jack to break a scoreless tie and Jordan Romano did not record an out, giving up a run on 3 hits and a walk.
- Scary moment for Blue Jays fans with Santiago Espinal forced to leave the game in the 2nd inning after getting drilled by a Gerritt Cole fastball on his right hand/wrist. Commentator Buck Martinez was mentioning on the broadcast that he heard it all the way up in the broadcast booth. Worst case scenario would be a fracture which could cost Espinal a couple of months.
- The Blue Jays offense really couldn't do much against Yankees starter Gerritt Cole. Good on Danny Jansen taking advantage of a pinch hit opportunity to tie the game with one swing
- The Blue Jays were 0-9 with runners in scoring position.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try for their 5th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman, who will be looking for a bounceback effort after a terrible start where he allowed 7 first inning runs, will be pitching against Yankees righty Clarke Schmidt