Yankees Unable to Sweep Blue Jays in Toronto

sbnation.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 21st, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 4 Blue Jays 8

The New York Yankees were unable to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon, but they took two out of three games against them. The Yankees have been rolling despite the loss on Sunday, as they have won two out of three games in their last three series, and that has gotten them a record of (10-7) after the bad first week.

Yankees Starter Ivan Nova’s tough beginning to the season didn’t get any easier in Toronto, as he once again didn’t pitch well, but on the bright side for Nova he didn’t get a loss just a no-decision. Nova went only five innings allowing four runs on seven hits, and four walks. Pitch count was once again a problem for Nova, as he threw a whopping 32 pitches in the first inning, and after that it was clear he wasn’t going to make it very deep into the game.

Nova wasn’t the only Yankees pitcher who struggled in this one, as David Phelps had a rough appearance out of the bullpen. Phelps went the final three innings for the Yankees, but allowed three runs on three hits, and two walks. Phelps ERA is at 6.23 so far this season, which is about three points higher than he finished last year. For Phelps the big mistake came in the seventh inning, when Blue Jays Catcher J.P Arencibia hit a two-run homerun for his seventh homerun already this season.

The Yankees offense was started by backup Catcher Chris Stewart, who for being a defensive Catcher is hitting the ball very well to start the season. Stewart hit a solo homerun in the third inning, which was his first homerun since July 28th of last season. He finished the game going two for three at the plate, and is now hitting .353 on the season.

The top of the order for the Yankees was great in this game, but despite the top three hitters all having multi-hit games they only combined for one run scored. Brett Gardner, Robinson Cano, and Vernon Wells all had two hits, but only Cano was able to touch home plate. Wells capped off a great series in Toronto going seven for 15 at the plate, and got a ton of boos from his former home crowd.

The main reason for the Yankees top of the order not scoring in this game was that Travis Hafner really struggled with runners in scoring position. Hafner went zero for three at the plate with RISP, and the Yankees in as a whole went 1 for 12, which just won’t get the job done.

Next up for the Yankees will be a trip down to Tampa Bay to play the Rays, as C.C Sabathia (3-1, 2.57 ERA) will be facing Matt Moore (3-0, 1.00 ERA) in what should be a good pitchers duel.