The Yankees have lost consecutive games against the Blue Jays to split their first series of the season and will now head to the Bronx.
- New York Yankees: 4 (2-2)
- Toronto Blue Jays: 7 (2-2)
- American League, FINAL
- Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The New York Yankees have lost their second straight game to the Blue Jays due to their bullpen troubles as well as having offensive woes.
The only offense of the game began in the top of the third inning with an RBI double from Didi Gregorius which scored Giancarlo Stanton to center field. Following the double, Neil Walker would strike with a single to left-field which scored Gregorius.
Brandon Drury came up to bat later in the inning and took a slider from Marcus Stroman over the left-field wall for a two-run homer and his first of the young season.
Four runs would be all, continuing their streak to begin the season of not being able to score runs if it is not reliant on the long ball.
On the pitching side of the game, Sonny Gray came out and had a decent first start of the season. He only lasted four innings and surrendered one earned run while striking out eight with three walks.
Chad Green relieved Gray for the fifth and sixth with a solid two innings of work, striking out four and only allowing one hit.
Tommy Kahnle would only be able to record two outs of his own after surrendering two runs of his own. David Robertson would tally a blown save under his statistics following allowing a go-ahead grand slam to Justin Smoak in the bottom of the eighth.
It was once again a brutal loss for New York and not a good way to start the 2018 season.
Boone’s Freshman Struggles
Aaron Boone‘s rookie manager skills have been exposed greatly to start the season. It began on Thursday when many complained about him leaving Dellin Betances in the game for an extra inning which ultimately blew the game for them.
His lack of experience continued again on Sunday in the bottom of the eighth when he chose to intentionally walk Josh Donaldson, who hasn’t hit anything due to his injury, to face Justin Smoak with bases loaded.
The fact that Smoak homered earlier on in the game should not be ignored and it’s troubling how the casual fan could take these aspects into account while the Yankees manager can’t.
What’s Next
The Yankees will head home to the Bronx for their home opener on Monday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays.
It is unknown whether or not the game will be placed due to the weather forecast not looking in the Yankees’ favor, but we will see.
If the game does take place, Jordan Montgomery will take the mound for New York and Tampa will take it as a “Bullpen Day”.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM ET on YES Network or can be listened to at WFAN 660/101.9FM.