Game #17 - New York Yankees (12-5) @ Toronto Blue Jays (9-8) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk scored a run and drove in a run in a 3-1 come-from-behind win over the Yankees

After a solid weekend set against the Rockies, the Blue Jays were looking to make it three straight wins as the Bronx Bombers rolled into town for a three-game series to wrap up the first homestand of the season. The Yankees took two of three from the Blue Jays a week ago, outscoring the Blue Jays 17-14. Danny Jansen was activated from the 10-day IL and Brian Serven was optioned back to AAA-ball. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was in LF, Isiah Kiner-Falefa was at the hot corner and Cavan Biggio was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it three straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Yankees opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Oswald Cabrera singled scoring Gleyber Torres
• The Blue jays tied the game in bottom half of the inning on bases loaded to Isiah Kiner-Falefa that forced in Cavan Biggio
• Two batters later, Alejandro Kirk scored on a wild pitch by Luis Gil
• The Blue jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Kirk doubled scoring Bo Bichette
• Luis Gil pitching line: 5IP 3H 3R (all earned) 7BB 6K 99 pitches (51 for strikes)
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6.1IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 5K 97 pitches (62 for strikes)
• Yimi Garcia threw a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 3 Yankees 1

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt threw 6.1 strong innings,  giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5 over 6.1 innings. H
• He got himself into some jams, but was able to escape those jams by making his pitches.  After a couple of average starts, Bassitt is starting to show his form from 2023 when he formed a solid 1-2 punch with Kevin Gausman at the top of the rotation. Hopefully Gausman also starts to turn it around too since the Blue Jays need their pitchers to be stellar with their anemic offense. 
• The bullpen pitched 2.2 perfect innings, striking out 1 batter. Clearly Tim Mayza has done some tweaking with Pete Walker and Co. because he has looked much better his last two appearances. 
• Offensively, Alejandro Kirk was the hero tonight, scoring a run and driving in another.
• Every Blue Jays starter except Kevin Kiermaier reached base at least once.  Only Kirk, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio reached base on a base hit
• The Blue jays were 1-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, it's a battle of the southpaws with Yusei Kikuchi startinggainst Yankees lefty Carlos Rodon