Whenever the Yankees visit the Rogers Center it always makes for an intriguing series. As division rivals, it just makes the games that much more important, even so early in the season.
Toronto started the series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, and lost the game 3-2. Aaron Sanchez was making his second start of the season, and was opposite Masahiro Tanaka, on the hill. Overall, Sanchez had a fairly strong pitching performance only giving up 3 hits and 1 earned run and amassing 5 strikeouts over 6 innings.
The Jays could only muster 3 hits all game, the big one being Jose Bautista’s two-run double, all coming off of Tanaka. Once he was removed from the game to start the 6th inning, the Blue Jays were held hitless. Dellin Betances was lights out for the Yankees, going 1 1/3 innings, and Andrew Miller was untouchable to collect the save in the 9th.
This was not the case on Wednesday, as the Blue Jays won the game 7-2, thanks to a solid pitching performance by J.A. Happ. Happ only allowed 1 earned run over 6 innings and struck out 4. But the key to the victory was the timely hits in the 8th inning, mainly due to a shaky Ivan Nova coming out of the pen. The Blue Jays, finally, hit the way they’re supposed to this season. Also, it was the first game the Jays have gotten double-digit hits.
It looks like the key to succeeding against the Yankees, this year, is hitting their starters hard and getting the lead early. Once Aroldis Chapman returns, they will have one of, if not, the toughest trio of relievers to close out games.
The final game in the series is Thursday and it will feature Marcus Stroman (1-0), taking on Nathan Eovoldi (0-0).
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