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| Nathan Lukes drove in three runs in a 10-1 rout over the Yankees |
The Blue Jays opened their first playoff series in 2 years as they host the Yankees, who defeated the Red Sox in the Wild Card series to earn the right to take on the Blue Jays in what is expected to be a tight and exciting series. The Blue Jays are coming off a tremendous regular season that saw them win 94 games (49 comeback victories). The Blue Jays won the season series against the Yankees 8-5, outscoring the Yankees 70-59. Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios were all left off the playoff roster, as well as Bo Bichette, who just wasn't ready. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. The outfield today was Anthony Santander in LF, Daulton Varsho in CF and Nathan Lukes in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner, Andres Gimenez was in SS, Ernie Clement was at 2B and, of course, Vlad was at 1B. George Springer served as DH. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 5 games and win the first game of the ALDS? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. belted a solo jack to left
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 2nd as Alejandro Kirk hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- Luis Gil pitching line: 2.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 0BB 2K 48 pitches (34 for strikes)
- The Yankees got one back in the top of the 6th on a bases loaded walk to Cody Bellinger that scored Anthony Volpe\
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 3K 75 pitches (51 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th as Andres Gimenez singled scoring Daulton Varsho
- Three batters later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring Gimenez and Ernie Clement
- A batter later, George Springer scored on a sac fly by Guerrero Jr.
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Kirk whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- Three batters later, Gimenez doubled scoring Varsho
- A batter later, Myles Sttaw scored on a sac fly by Clement
- Two batters later, Lukes singled scoring Gimenez
- Final score: Blue Jays 10 Yankees 1
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman threw 5.5 solid innings, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. Gausman retired 10 in a row at one point, started by a HUGE line drive double play started by a massive diving catch by Vlad, who had a huge game himself. This was the start the Blue Jays needed from their ace.
- The bullpen threw 3.1 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits, walking none and striking out three. Jeff Hoffman and Anthony Dominguez retired every batter they faced.
- The offence came up huge with Vlad (sac fly, solo HR), Andres Gimenez (2 RBI, 2 runs scored), Nathan Lukes (3RBI), and Alejandro Kirk (2 solo HR)
- Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Ernie Clement and George Springer had a hit. Every starter but Anthony Santander and Addison Barger either scored a run or drove in a run.
- The Blue Jays were 5-10 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 5 games and put the Yankees on the verge of elimination. Trey Yesavage starts against Yankees lefty Max Fried
