FINAL: #Yankees 3, Blue Jays 2. pic.twitter.com/0Kb19NLz12
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 13, 2016
The New York Yankees got their revenge as they defeated the defending AL East Champions, the Toronto Blue Jays, in their first meeting of 2016.
- New York Yankees: 3 (4-2)
- Toronto Blue Jays: 2 (2-4)
- American League, FINAL, Box Score
- Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
The New York Yankees passed their first test of this young season tonight by defeating the team that gave them such a hard time last year.
The Blue Jays were 13-6 against the Yankees a year ago, but the Bombers snagged the first of 2016 by a score of 3-2.
To start the year, starting pitching remains to be a problem as Masahiro Tanaka only lasted five innings, but Jacoby Ellsbury and the Yankee bullpen bailed him out to pull away with a win.
Super ‘Pen Strikes Again:
Tanaka was chased after five iffy, yet effective innings as he held the Jays to two runs on three hits while striking out six. His pitch count (92) forced Joe Girardi to pull him, but the ‘pen had no issue making sure Toronto stayed put.
Johnny Barbato (W), Chasen Shreve, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller held the tough Blue Jays’ offense to no runs, no hits, and struck out five through four dominant innings.
.@a_miller48 shuts ‘em down in the 9th for his 2nd save of the year! #NYYSaves pic.twitter.com/F5n98El14Q
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 13, 2016
Yankee relievers have a 0.85 ERA in 21.1 innings of work.
Oh McCann Can
In the top of the sixth with the Yankees trailing 2-1, Brian McCann turned on an Aaron Sanchez fastball and lifted it over the wall it right.
Brian McCann. All Summer ’16. #LetsGoYankeeshttps://t.co/rVZW8FwUjR
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 13, 2016
It knotted the game up at two, and it was McCann’s second home run of the year. The Yankee catcher is batting .500 through the first six games.
It’s a Blast In The Book
With the game still tied at two with runners on second and third for Jacoby Ellsbury, he got jammed with the fastball in on the hands but was able to bloop it into left field for a go-ahead RBI single.
.@JacobyEllsbury drops a single into left to plate Headley! #Yankees are back in front, 3-2! #LetsGoYankees
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 13, 2016
That gave the Bombers a 3-2 lead which they would never relinquish.
Bad News:
The Yankee lineup was able to score enough to win the game, but going 1-for-10 puts a dark spot in what was a great win for New York.
In the inning before his home run, McCann took a foul ball off the bat of Edwin Encarnacion to his left foot.
He was able to play the next couple innings, but it got unbearable as Girardi described it as “swollen” in his press conference after the game.
According to Meredith Marakovits, he went for a fluoroscope at the Rogers Centre after the contest.
His diagnosis is a bruised toe, and you should not expect him back in the lineup for at least this series.
McCann went for fluoroscope @ Rogers center … It was negative. Will not go for more tests as of now. #yankees
— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) April 13, 2016
What’s Next:
Same place, same time.
Both AL East powerhouses will go at it again on Wednesday night. Michael Pineda will take the hill for the Yankees while J.A. Happ will start for Toronto.
The Yankees are very familiar with Happ, as this will be the tenth time they’ll be facing the lefty. New York has a .246/.315/.467 slash line against him including ten home runs.
First pitch will be at 7:07 and full coverage will be on the YES Network starting at 6:30.
