Yankees game 149: Missed opportunities in start to huge series
The Yankees had chances but could not get the big hit to escape the early hole.
New York Yankees 2 – Toronto Blue Jays 4
The Yankees miss opportunities after an early hole to start a big series north of the border.
In the first inning, Jacoby Ellsbury came to the plate against David Price and he hit a laser right up the middle, unfortunately for the Yankees, David Price stood his ground and defended himself from the laser, nabbing the first out and saved himself from a serious situation. The Yankees got a base runner on an Alex Rodriguez single but that was it after one.
For the Yankees, Adam Warren continued his work at increasing what he is capable of in another start.
Ben Revere opened the bottom half of the first with a single. Josh Donaldson was grazed by the pitch enough to be rewarded first base. Jose Bautista put the first run on the board with a single to center field. A wild pitch two in scoring position, in which a ground ball from Edwin Encarnacion put the second Blue Jays run on the scoreboard. Justin Smoak hit a double to deep right field that scored a third run for the Blue Jays and the first inning was just getting started. Warren walked one more with two outs but struck out Kevin Pillar to end the inning.
For David Price, three runs should be more than enough. But the third inning looked like a potential threat.
After one out, Dustin Ackley hit a ground ball to Cliff Pennington, but a wide throw took Justin Smoak off the base. Following the error, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a base hit back up the middle, this time through for a single. Brett Gardner walked to load the bases but Alex Rodriguez struck out on a late swing through a 3-2 fastball for the second out of the inning. Brian McCann flew out to center field and the bases loaded opportunity was missed.
Over 3 1/3 innings, Adam Warren allowed three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out five. The first inning was a taxing inning on Warren in both pitches and runs allowed. 35 of his 82 pitches came in the first inning.
Following the walk of Brett Gardner in the third inning, David Price retired the next 14 in a row to get through seven innings. David Price didn't allow a run on two hits and one walk while striking out seven.
While Warren had an early shower, relievers James Pazos, Caleb Cotham and Chasen Shreve put together 2 2/3 scoreless to keep the deficit within reach.
Branden Pinder took over for the seventh inning and he had the tough task of facing the power of the Blue Jays' order. Josh Donaldson started the inning with a walk. Jose Bautista hit a double to center field and this forced the Yankees hand, intentionally walking Edwin Encarnacion to load the bases with no one out. Andrew Bailey took on the tough task out of the bullpen. He got Justin Smoak to pop out to first baseman Gregory Bird, forcing the runners to stand pat. Russell Martin hit a sacrifice fly to put the Blue Jays ahead by four but Bailey got the last out to minimize the damage in a very difficult situation.
In the eighth inning, following seven scoreless from David Price, Aaron Sanchez looked to make the lead stand.
Didi Gregorius started the inning with a walk. Dustin Ackley reached on an single and Jacoby Ellsbury brought home Gregorius with his third single of the game to put the Yankees on the scoreboard. Just when the Yankees looked to be rallying, Brett Gardner was called out on a skeptical strike three call for the first out.
Nothing skeptical about the next two outs when Alex Rodriguez and Brian McCann struck out swinging to end the second rally of the game.
The Yankees got one in the ninth when Greg Bird went deep to center field for his ninth home run of the year but it was not enough to win the first game of the three-game series in Toronto.
Win – David Price (17-5)
Loss – Adam Warren (6-7)
Save – Roberto Osuna (17)
Notables
Yankees
*Jacoby Ellsbury – 2 for 4, RBI (32)
*Greg Bird – 1 for 4, R, Solo home run (9) in the 9th, RBI (25)
Blue Jays
*Jose Bautista – 2 for 4, R, 2B, RBI (105)
*Justin Smoak – 1 for 4, 2B, RBI (52)
Current Yankees Record: 82-67