After George Springer propelled the Toronto Blue Jays to a big win over the New York Yankees on Thursday, the Blue Jays looked like they were going to take the first two games until they fell apart in the 6th inning of Friday night’s tilt.
The Yankees showed why they are leading the American League East division as they put up 16 runs in the second of four games.
For the Blue Jays, Yusei Kikuchi (4-7, 4.00) was given the task of shutting down a daunting Yankee lineup that has scared teams around league. For those Yankees, a familiar face was sent to the mound as former Blue Jay Marcus Stroman (7-3, 3.25) got the start for New York.
Kikuchi threw 5 innings, allowing four runs over four hits, walking one and punching out seven, taking his eighth loss of the year. Stroman threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, three walks and three strikeouts, coming away with a no decision.
The Blue Jays got on the board early, striking in the bottom half of the 1st thanks to an RBI single from George Springer to give them a 1-0 lead.
The Yankees would get that run back in the top of the 4th. Newly acquired J.D. Davis grounded out to drive in a run and tie the game at one run apiece.
Later, in the bottom of the 5th, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Isiah Kiner-Falefa to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead. Springer would then get hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to push across another run, extending the Toronto lead to 3-1.
Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, the Yankees would prove that their offence really is that good, scoring six runs in the top of the 6th. Juan Soto hit a three run shot, giving the Yankees a 4-3 lead. Davis would later double, then come around to score on a Gleyber Torres two run homer to extend the Yankee lead to 7-3, silencing the fans at the Rogers Centre.
In the next half, Kiner-Falefa got one run back, hitting a solo shot to cut Toronto’s deficit to 7-4. The Blue Jays started to inch back closer in the bottom of the 7th, after Guerrero Jr. hit a solo homer of his own to cut the Yankee lead to 7-5.
Unfortunately for the Jays, it was all for not, as the Yankees would snatch those two runs back in the top of the 8th. Alex Verdugo and D.J. LaMahieu both had RBI doubles that would give the Yankees a 9-5 lead.
The Yankees would pile on more runs in the top of the 9th inning. Aaron Judge would start it off with a two RBI single to extend the lead to 11-5. Singles from Oswaldo Cabrera and Alex Verdugo, along with a sacrifice fly from Torres would push the Yankee lead to 14-5. Jose Trevino would later double, then Jahmai Jones would single to give New York a 16-5 lead.
The score would remain in the bottom of the 9th, giving the Blue Jays a 16-5 defeat at the hands of the Yankees.
The Blue Jays will look to take game three of the series as they will send Chris Bassitt (6-6, 3.45) to face Nestor Cortes (4-6, 3.40) for the Yankees tomorrow afternoon.
