| Daulton Varsho hit a pair of HR for three runs in a losing effort as the Yankees came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 6-4 |
After a solid win yesterday thanks to some timely hitting by Vlad, timely baserunning by IKF and stellar pitching from Yusei Kikuchi, the Blue Jays were looking to make it 5 straight wins and complte their 1st series sweep of the season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner, while Davis Schneider got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it 5 straight wins and complete their 1st sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Daulton Varsho smacked a 2-run blast to right-center; also scoring Davis Schneider
- The Yankees got one back in the top of the 5th as Juan Soto doubled scoring Oswaldo Cabrera
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5IP 4H 1R (earned) 3BB 4K 101 pitches (61 for strikes)
- Marcus Stroman pitching line: 5.1IP 6H 2R (both earned) 2BB 2K 99 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the of the 7th as Varsho belted a solo jack to right-center
- Five batters later, Kevin Kiermaier scored on a sac fly by Bo Bichette
- The Yankees got one back in the top of the 8th as Soto whacked a solo blast to right-center and into the Yankees bullpen
- The Yankees got one back in the top of the 9th as Giancarlo Stanton hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left-center
- Three batters later, Jose Trevino singled scoring Gleyber Torres
- Three batters later, Aaron Judge singled home Alex Verdugo and Trevino
- John Schneider was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the bottom of the 9th
- Clay Holmes pitched a scoreless 9th for his 7th save of the season
- Final score: Yankees 6 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman pitched his best game of the season, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4 over 5 innings. There has been major concern with Gusman's first three starts of the season as he came out of an abbreviated spring training where he effectively made one start before missing time with a sore shoulder. The lack of preparation showed with the Blue Jays ace struggling with his command and getting hit hard. Tonight, he looked better and was able to pitch his way out of jams. It's maybe a bit surprising he was allowed to throw 100 pitches since he had not thrown even 80 in a start to date. Hopefully he builds on today's encouraging progress
- The bullpen was horrible tonight and were unable to save this one. Erik Swanson. making his season debut after coming off the IL this week, was hit hard for 3 runs on 3 hits and retired just one of the 4 batters he faced. He was saddled with the loss. Maybe it might have been better to use him earlier in the game with lower pressure. Tim Mayza came in and proceeded to give up three runs (two charged to Swanson) on 2 hits while walking 1 and striking out 1. Perhaps the Blue Jays will give him a 10-dday IL stint soon to reset. Trevor Richards was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
- Offensively, it was the Daulton Varsho show. The Blue Jays' LF/CF hit a pair of home runs for three of the runs the Blue Jays scored (Bo Bichette drove in Kevin Kiermaier with a sac fly for the other run.
- The Blue Jays are now 8-1 in games where Davis Schneider starts. They are 0-6 when he comes in late in the game as a pinch hitter, pinch runner or defensive replacement
- The Blue Jays were 0-8 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, after an off-day/travel day tomorrow, the Blue Jays commence the road trip with their first west coast swing as they take on the San Diego Padres, who won the season series last year 2-1, outscoring the Blue Jays 11-5. Yariel Rodriguez starts against Padres righty Matt Waldron
