Well, at least the Blue Jays managed to score some runs, as they fell 9-8 to the New York Yankees.
With the loss, the Blue Jays’ record drops to 4-5, but they’ll have a chance to return home at .500 with a win in the rubber match. However, let’s focus on what happened in this game.
It didn’t take long for a run, as the Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the first inning, as Aaron Judge hit his second home run of the season on a pitch that was down and in. Not a bad pitch by any means, but Judge is just that good of a hitter.
Aaron Judge brings the Yankee Stadium crowd to its feet for the first time this season! pic.twitter.com/sdcVPCx57W
— MLB (@MLB) April 6, 2024
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In the same inning, Giancarlo Stanton also hit his second home run of the season, with this one needing a review due to the short porch in right field. It’s odd how the most historical team in the league has a little league park, but I digress.
Stanton with a blast 👊 pic.twitter.com/u9cnQpAie6
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 6, 2024
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The Yankees added three additional runs in the bottom of the second, with a sac fly, a passed ball, and a Juan Soto single, with the latter giving the Bronx Bombers the game-winning run. However, the Jays got some runs back with a sac fly in the top of the third and a fielder’s choice to make it a 6-2 game.
Juan Soto’s first hit in pinstripes! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/8vv5PVSQAH
— MLB (@MLB) April 7, 2024
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New York scored a run on an Anthony Rizzo home run in the bottom of the fifth, followed by a Juan Soto single (again) to give the Yankees a 9-2 lead,which was just enough for the Yankees to pull out the win.. However, the Blue Jays made a game of it with a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. home run that Talkin’ Baseball didn’t like, womp womp. On top of this home run, the Blue Jays scored two more runs in this inning to make it 9-5
Vlad Guerrero shushes the Yankees crowd after a home run. Blue Jays are down 9-3 pic.twitter.com/dk6srlb231
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 7, 2024
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In the top of the ninth, the Blue Jays scored thrice, including a clutch Davis Schneider double as well as a pinch hit single from Cavan Biggio. Alas, it wasn’t enough as the Yankees just barely survived.
Things worth mentioning…
Kevin Gausman finished with a line of 1.1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K with two home runs given up. This was Gausman’s shortest outing as a Blue Jay while his velocity was down to an average of 91.4 mph. Of course, it was cold in New York and we all know that Gausman only pitched in one Spring Training game, so hopefully he’ll have a better game in his next start.
Mitch White did what he needed to do, going 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K with a home run given up. If he can continue to give the Jays length whenever needed like he did tonight, there’s a spot on this team.
The Blue Jays bats were the best they have been all season, as they scored the most runs they have in a loss. In fact, they doubled and then some the total of runs they had scored in their other four losses. It’s an encouraging sign.
Up next: The Blue Jays return to action in the rubber match against the Yankees on Sunday at 1:35 PM ET. With a win, they can move their record to 5-5, which is a positive sign considering all their games have been on the road against playoff-calibre teams. The Jays return to Toronto on Monday to host the Seattle Mariners.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Brennan_L_D.
ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO
