Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a 2-run HR in a losing effort as the Yankees came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 9-6 |
After another resounding win over the Yankees thanks to 5 no hit innings from Trey Yesavage and a team effort offensively, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 6 games and eliminate the Yankees. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Anthony Santander was in RF, Ernie Clement was at the hot corner and IKF was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 6 games and eliminate the Yankees? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr whacked a 2-2-run blast to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Davis Schneider
- The Yankees got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Giancarlo Stanton singled scoring Aaron Judge
- The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Daulton Varsho singled home Schneider
- A batter later, Ernie Clement singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
- A batter after that, Anthony Santander singled scoring Clement and Varsho
- Carlos Rodon pitching line: 2.1IP 6H 6R (all earned) 2BB 2K 67 pitches (44 for strikes)
- The Yankees got one back in the bottom of the 3rd as Judge doubled scoring Trent Grisham
- Three batters later, Cody Bellinger scored on a sac fly by Stanton
- Shane Bieber pitching line: 2.2IP 5H 3R (2 earned) 1BB 2K 54 pitches (36 for strikes)
- The Yankees tied it in the bottom of the 4th as Judge hammered a 3-run bomb off the left foul pole; also scoring Austin Wells and Grisham
- The Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Jazz Chiaholm Jr. hammered a solo omb off the basing of the second deck in right.
- Three batters later, Wells singled scoring Arned Rosario
- The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 6th on a sac fly by Ben Rice that scored Judge
- David Bednar got the last 5 outs for his 2nd save of the postseason
- Final score: Yankees 9 Blue Jays 6
My Take:
- Shane Bieber lasted just 2.2 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2. John Schneider continues to not trust his starters in crucial playoff games and it cost the team with Aaron Judge ripping a 3-run bomb off the left foul pole to tie the game. With the bullpen such a wild card, I would have let Bieber try to at least escape the 3rd inning
- After giving up 7 runs over 3 innings yesterday, the bullpen imploded again, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4 ove 5.1 innings. Louis Varland was taken deep twice, including the 3-run HR that tied the game and the go-ahead HR. Yariel Rodriguez was the only reliever to retire every batter faced. If the Yankees come back and win the series, Pete Walker should be the scapegoat. The bullpen hasn't been great in the last month or two, his mound visits have been largely ineffective, with the opponent usually scoring shortly afterwards. I said all along that the bullpen was going to be the X factor that determines how deep this team goes. If Blue Jays fans thought tonight ws a nail biter, they best put something bitter on those nails because the Blue Jays are expected to go with a bullpen game tomorrow as they try to elimnate the Yankees tomorrow night.
- The bats certainly did their job with 6 runs. Vladdy has been the difference maker the Blue Jays were hoping for with a huge 2-run HR to give the Blue Jays the lead in the 1st inning. Anthony Santander had a clutch 2-run single that gave the Blue Jays the 5-run cushion that should have been enough on most days
- The Blue Jays were 3-8 with runners in scoring posittion
- It's never a good idea to wake a sleeping giant. Thrtr has no be regrets sbout pullimg Trey Yresavage when they did because it gave Yankees hitters confidence, even though the Blue Jays held on to win two nights ago
- Up next, the dreaded bullpen game. Look for Louis Varland to be the opener and Eric Lauer to get the nod as the bulk inning guy. The Yankees will counter with righty Cam Schlitter.