New York Yankees 0 – Toronto Blue Jays 4
A poor showing and mistake pitch loom large in the series finale with the East-leading Blue Jays.
The Yankees faced a tough task in Marcus Stroman, who set the Yankees down in order in the first inning, including two strikeouts. For Ivan Nova, he allowed two base runners when Josh Donaldson hit a single and Edwin Encarnacion hit a double but a strikeout of Justin Smoak
Ivan Nova dodged trouble in the second inning with two on and two out when Ben Revere lined out to Greg Bird. He got his first 1-2-3 inning in the fifth but Marcus Stroman was cruising through his start.
Marcus Stroman allowed his first hit to Didi Gregorius in the third inning and another hit in the fourth but it did not amount to anything. In the fifth inning, Greg Bird reached on a single but Chase Headley, mired in a slump, grounded into a double play. A two-out double by Dustin Ackley went for nothing as Didi Gregorius grounded out to continue the scoreless pitcher’s duel.
Ivan Nova got the first two outs of the sixth inning before Russell Martin walked on a full count. With the pitch count at 110, a base runner cued Nova’s exit from the game. James Pazos came in for one batter and the batter, Ryan Goins, hit a single. Cue the next pitcher, Caleb Cotham. On the first pitch from Cotham, Kevin Pillar hit a single to center field that scored Martin and put the Blue Jays ahead by one.
In 5 2/3 innings, Ivan Nova allowed one run on four hits while walking two and striking out six. A very solid outing after being delegated to the bullpen.
In the seventh inning, Carlos Beltran got on base with a one-out walk and he advanced to second when Chase Headley hit a two-out single but Dustin Ackley squared up a line drive to center field where Kevin Pillar roams, easily catching the final out of the inning.
Andrew Bailey got the call for the seventh inning and Josh Donaldson welcomed him with a double into the left field corner. A ground out advanced Donaldson to third and allowed a walk of Edwin Encarnacion to setup a double play. On a strikeout of Justin Smoak, Encarnacion stole second base to put two in scoring position for Russell Martin. On a 2-2 count, Andrew Bailey missed location on a fastball meant inside that ended up middle, and Martin dealt the big blow.
The three-run home run lined over left field extended the Yankees deficit to four.
The Yankees were set down in order in the eighth inning and showed a little fight in the ninth when Alex Rodriguez led off with a double but he was ultimately stranded, ending the game. The Yankees lost the series as the battle for the East looks a little bit harder for the Yankees.
Win – Marcus Stroman (3-0)
Loss – Ivan Nova (6-9)
Notables
Yankees
*Dustin Ackley – 1 for 3, 2B
*Alex Rodriguez – 1 for 4, 2B
Blue Jays
*Russell Martin – 1 for 3, 2 R, BB, Three-run home run (21) in the 7th, 3 RBI (72)
*Kevin Pillar – 1 for 4, RBI (50)
Current Yankees Record: 83-68
