Toronto Blue Jays 4 — New York Yankees 6
The Yankees fall behind early but bounce back quickly behind Hiroki Kuroda.
The Blue Jays got two singles from Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera to put runners on the corners against Hiroki Kuroda with one out. Kuroda would fall behind slugger Jose Bautista 3-0 and left a pitch over the inside part of the plate where Bautista feasts. The Blue Jays right fielder would deposit that 3-0 pitch into left field for a three-run home run. Kuroda would bounce back and retired five of the next six batters.
Starting for the Blue Jays, Mark Buehrle, who entered the game with a 1-12 record against the New York Yankees.
After a scoreless first inning, the Yankees would get on the board in the second. Brian McCann started the second inning by hitting over the shift for a single. Chase Headley would his first hit of a three-hit night to put two on base. Ichiro Suzuki would be walked to load the bases and Brian Roberts would hit a slow rolling ground ball to third baseman Munenori Kawasaki. The throw from Kawasaki would pull Juan Francisco off of first base and the Yankees scored their first run of the game. Brett Gardner would hit a deep fly ball to center field for a sacrifice fly ball to make it a 3-2 deficit.
Jose Bautista entered the game with two hits against Kuroda, both home runs. After the first home run of his night in the first inning, the All-Star right fielder would hit a solo home run to left field, his second of the night and fourth against Kuroda. The solo home run made it a 4-2 game but the Yankees’ success against Buehrle would show in the third inning.
With one out in the bottom of the third inning, Carlos Beltran would get the home run back with a home run of his own. After the home run, Brian McCann and Chase Headley would hit another pair of singles. With two on and one out, Ichiro Suzuki would get rid of the zero in the home run column with a three-run home run. The first home run of the season for Ichiro gives the Yankees a 6-4 lead that they would not surrender.
In 5.2 innings, Hiroki Kuroda allowed four runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out three.
David Huff and Shawn Kelley would combine to finish the sixth and seventh inning without a hit. With a lead after seven innings, the best parts of the bullpen would be used. Dellin Betances would pitch a scoreless eighth inning with a strikeout and one hit. David Robertson would give up a single in the ninth inning but a pair of strikeouts would help him get the 26th save of the season as the Yankees continue their hot streak after the All-Star break.
Win – Hiroki Kuroda (7-6)
Loss – Mark Buehrle (10-7)
Save – David Robertson (26)
Notables
Blue Jays
*Jose Bautista – 3 for 4, 2 R, 2B, 2 HR (20; 3-Run & Solo) in the 1st & 3rd, 4 RBI (60)
*Melky Cabrera – 1 for 4, R
Yankees
*Ichiro Suzuki – 1 for 3, R, BB, 3-Run Home Run (1) in the 3rd, 3 RBI (14)
*Carlos Beltran – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (11) in the 3rd, RBI (32)
Current Yankees Record: 54-48
