New York Yankees – Toronto Blue Jays
Andy Pettitte wishes he could have back one pitch in tonight’s 2-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Yankees had to deal with knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey in the series opener. After getting the first two outs, Robinson Cano hit a line drive for the first hit. Alfonso Soriano would hit a double down the left field line to put runners in scoring position. Lyle Overbay would be walked and the bases were loaded for Mark Reynolds. Unfortunately, Reynolds would strike out in a big spot.
In the second inning, Dickey would get the first two outs again. He would walk Chris Stewart and Curtis Granderson would get on with a single to put two on with two outs again. Alex Rodriguez would falter in this spot, grounding out to Jose Reyes.
Then Dickey really got going. He would strike out Robinson Cano, Alfonso Soriano and Lyle Overbay in the third inning. He would give up a single in the fourth inning but it would be erased on a double play. A ground out would end a four-pitch fourth inning. Following the single in the fourth inning, the next 11 Yankees would be out by Dickey. Clearly, the offense was having problems with the knuckleball.
In the fourth inning, Andy Pettitte was in a pitcher’s duel but he would flinch first. A hanging slider to Colby Rasmus would go deep into right field and the Yankees were trailing by one. Pettitte would not let this rattle him as he would grind on and keep the Jays to just the one.
At 100 pitches, many thought Andy Pettitte would exit after the sixth inning but he would come back out for another inning. He would get Josh Thole to fly out and Joe Girardi would meet with the veteran lefty but he would return to the dugout without the lefty, convinced that he could get the next out. And Andy succeeded, getting Jose Reyes to fly out. With two outs and 110 pitches, the night was done for Andy Pettitte.
In 6.2 innings, Andy Pettitte gave up just one run on six hits while walking two and striking out five. Normally the line of a pitcher en route to a win.
Shawn Kelley would get the call in the bullpen to face Rajai Davis. On the second pitch out of the bullpen, Davis would hit a home run for insurance. The Yankees would have a relief though, Dickey would exit and Sergio Santos would come in for the eighth inning.
After Vernon Wells grounded out, Curtis Granderson would reach on an error by second baseman Ryan Goins. This put the potential tying run at home with powerful bats coming up. Alex Rodriguez would take a close outside pitch for strike three. Then with two outs, Robinson Cano would take the first pitch very far outside. The catcher was positioned behind the right-handed batter’s box. In the same location, Cano would chase, grounding it back to the pitcher, ending the inning. In that inning, Rodriguez didn’t swing when he should have and Cano swung when he shouldn’t have. It’s that kind of night.
In the eighth inning, a defensive gem kept the game at just two. Against David Robertson, pinch-hitter Anthony Gose would hit a double with a runner on first. The runner would be sent to score. Alfonso Soriano quickly sent the ball in to Brendan Ryan who threw a short hop to new catcher J.R. Murphy who put the tag on Adam Lind, ending the inning in defensive fashion.
Closer Casey Janssen started the ninth inning by striking out Alfonso Soriano. Lyle Overbay would get a single to put the Yankees in another attempt at tying the game. Mark Reynolds would chase three breaking balls out of the zone and would go down on strikes. Ichiro Suzuki would go down swinging and the Yankees playoff hopes took a shot with a tough loss.
The Yankees offense simply looked absent against the last place Jays. Not a good sight for a team with postseason aspirations.
Win – R.A. Dickey (13-12)
Loss – Andy Petttitte (10-10)
Save – Casey Janssen (31)
Notables
Yankees
*Alfonso Soriano – 1 for 4, 2B
*Lyle Overbay – 1 for 4, BB
Blue Jays
*Colby Rasmus – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (21) in the 4th, RBI (64)
*Rajai Davis – 2 for 4, R, 2B, RBI (23)
Current Yankees Record: 79-72
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