The New York Yankees battled to hang with the Toronto Blue Jays, but the bullpen unraveled as the team loses it’s first of the season.
- New York Yankees 3 (2-0)
- Toronto Blue Jays 3 (0-2)
- W: Betances (0-1, 9.00 ERA)
- L: Tepera (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
- AL, Final, Box Score
- Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
The New York Yankees scratched and clawed their way through this game but ultimately fell short. They battled through injuries, a rough night at the plate, and CC Sabathia not having his best stuff. After playing catch up for most of the game, A Yangervis Solarte solo home run would be the difference
CC didn’t have his best stuff on the mound. But despite looking a bit off, he was able to gut it out through five innings and leave the Yankees in position to win. The Jays broke through in the first and third innings against Sabathia, but the crafty lefty was able to limit the damage in each inning.
Sabathia got himself in trouble again in the fifth inning, but Aaron Boone trusted the veteran and left him in for one last batter. He induced a ground ball from Solarte that resulted in a double play and allowed Sabathia to escape.
The final blows came in the bottom of the eighth when Dellin Betances unraveled. Solarte hit a monster shot to center which gave the Jays a one-run lead. After allowing a walk to Kevin Pillar, things really came undone. Pillar stole second and third without throws. He continued to challenge Betances by stealing home and Betances’ throw home was just a bit outside.
Injuries
In just his second career game, Billy McKinney was forced to leave in the first inning. He went crashing into the wall and was diagnosed with a left shoulder sprain per YES Network’s Meredith Marakovitz. McKinney was up in place of the injured Aaron Hicks, but it looks like the Yankees may need to get creative with their outfield. Aaron Judge played center, which signals Boone’s willingness to try different things. Jacoby Ellsbury and Clint Frazier are still recovering from various injuries so for now, the outfield is thin.
Adam Warren was drilled by a comebacker and forced to leave the game as well. Warren was diagnosed with a right ankle contusion and x-rays were negative per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
The Yankees have been bitten by the injury bug early. Luckily, they have immense depth at most positions and they have a lot of versatility at the big league level with guys like Neil Walker, Tyler Wade, and Brandon Drury.
The Lone Bright Spot
Tyler Austin was the lone bright spot in this game for the Yankees. He hit mammoth two game-tying home runs and carried the Yankees lineup as far as he could. He was standing in the on-deck circle as the potential tying run when Brett Gardner struck out looking.
The Yankees and Blue Jays will finish out the four-game series Sunday as Sonny Gray takes on Marcus Stroman.
Billy McKinney is shaken up after a nasty collision with the left field wall. pic.twitter.com/6lOLL7V3wh
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 31, 2018
OHHHHHH BABY!@T1721Austin sends one to the MOON to tie the game! ?
WATCH: https://t.co/OyCZHJkIZx pic.twitter.com/BkDnLUf1Yr
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 31, 2018
.@T1721Austin DOES IT AGAIN!
SECOND dinger of the game.@Yankees tie it back up at 3-3.
WATCH: https://t.co/OyCZHJ387Z ? pic.twitter.com/CSSOOdIYuk
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 31, 2018
Someday they'll learn…#DontRunOnGary ? pic.twitter.com/FTIRLWmkhL
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 31, 2018
