Yankees Playoff Hopes Dwindle with Loss Against Blue Jays

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

September 19^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 2 Blue Jays 6

The New York Yankees season may have very well ended in the the great white North against the Toronto Blue Jays, as they loss the series to the last place Blue Jays. The loss moves the Yankees to (80-73) on the season, which is 3.5 games behind the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays for the final two Wild Card spots.

Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda was in trouble all night long, but despite clearly not being on his game again he manged to keep the Yankees close. In the third inning the Blue Jays would finally get to Kuroda, as Jose Reyes hit a RBI double to score Anthony Gose, and then Reyes would score on a RBI ground out by Brett Lawrie. Gose would touch home plate again in the sixth inning, as he hit a solo-home run, which was his second of the season. Kuroda would finish going six innings allowing three runs on eight hits, and four walks, while striking out seven batters.

Yankees Rally in 8th to Defeat Blue Jays

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

September 18^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 4 Blue Jays 3

The New York Yankees were able to snap their four-game losing streak on Wednesday in Toronto with a victory over the Blue Jays. The win moves the Yankees to (80-72), which keeps their Wild Card hopes alive, as they are now 2.5 games behind the Texas Rangers for the final Wild Card spot.

Phil Hughes got the start for the Yankees in this crucial game, and like last time Joe Girardi did a Hughes/David Huff combo to get through this game. Hughes went three scoreless innings before giving up a 451ft two-run home run to Colby Rasmus. Hughes went 3.1 innings allowing two runs on four hits, and was pulled for Huff in the fourth inning.

The first batter Huff would face was Ryan Goins, and he promptly hit his first home run of the season. Huff would settle down after that however, as he finished going 3.2 innings allowing just the home run to Goins, and he earned his third win of the season.

Yankees Lose 4th Straight Game

postcresent.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

September 17^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 0 Blue Jays 2

The New York Yankees lost their fourth straight game on Tuesday night, this time at the hands of the last place Toronto Blue Jays. The loss moves the Yankees to (79-72) on the season, which is 3.5 games behind the two Wild Card spots.

Andy Pettitte came through with a yet another good start for the Yankees, but with zero run support, he picked up his 10^th loss of the season. Pettitte would make only one mistake in this game, that coming in the fourth inning, as Colby Rasmus hit a solo-home run, which broke the scoreless game up, and was his 21^st home run of the season. Pettitte would finish going 6.2 innings allowing just the one run on six hits and two walks.

Kuroda Struggles Again in Loss to Blue Jays

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 28th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 2 Blue Jays 7

The New York Yankees suffered a bad loss in the rubber game of the series they needed to win against a poor Toronto Blue Jays team, which hurts their playoff hopes. The loss moves them to (70-63), which is now 8.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, and also 5.5 games behind the two Wild Card spots.

For the third straight start Hiroki Kuroda wasn’t very good for the Yankees, who heading towards the home stretch of the season appear to not have an ace anymore due to the recent struggle of Kuroda. The loss was Kuroda’s 10th of the season, and is the third straight start he has lost. The first inning was a tough one for the Yankees, as Brett Lawrie hit a two-run double to get the Blue Jays going early. Later in that inning a weird play allowed two more runs to score after a strikeout of J.P. Arencibia, Chris Stewart had to throw him out at first, but the throw was wild allowing two runs to score. In the second inning Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run home run, which was his 34th home run of the season. The final run off Kuroda for the Blue Jays would come in the third inning, as Jose Reyes hit a sac-fly that scored Arencibia. Kuroda went five innings allowing seven runs, five of which were earned on nine hits and one walk.

Milestone Day for Soriano Gets Yankees a Victory

nbcnewyork.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 27th, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 7 Blue Jays 1

The New York Yankees were able to bounce back from losing the first game of the series against the Toronto Blue Jays with a nice win on Tuesday night. The win moves the Yankees to (70-62) on the season, which has them 7.5 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East, and 4.5 games behind the two Wild Card spots.

On offense the Yankees looked very good on Tuesday night getting to Blue Jays Starter J.A. Happ, and handed him his fourth loss of the season. They wasted little time getting to Happ, as in the first inning Derek Jeter singled home Brett Gardner, who led-off the game with a double. A few batters later Alfonso Soriano hit career home run number 399, which was a three-run shot. In the third inning Soriano would get the best of Happ once more by hitting a solo-home run for his 400th home run of his career. Happ finished going just 4.2 innings allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks.

Yankees Fall in Toronto 5 - 2

Alex Rodriguez hits his 650th career home run but it wasn't enough, as the Yankees fall to the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 on Monday night.

The Blue Jays snap a 10 game losing streak against the Yankees with their victory led by the knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey who went seven strong innings. Jose Reyes and Edwin Encarnacion sparked the Toronto offense. 

The Yankees took a early first inning lead when Brett Gardner singled, went to second on a passed ball, reached third on a Jeter ground ball, and then scored when Dickey was unable to handle a comebacker from Robinson Cano. 

Toronto tied it in the second on a RBI single by Kevin Pillar, and it was followed up by a RBI single from Edwin Encarnacion in the third to take a 2-1 lead.  

Yankees Complete Sweep of Blue Jays

espn.go.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 22^nd, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Blue Jays 3 Yankees 5

The New York Yankees were able to pick up the win after a three hour rain delay on Thursday afternoon, as they completed the four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays. The win moves the Yankees to (68-59), which is six games behind the Boston Red Sox for the AL East, but now just 3.5 games behind the two Wild Card spots.

Andy Pettitte made his second straight very good start for the Yankees on Thursday, as he picked up his ninth win of the season. Pettitte went six innings allowing just one run on four hits and three walks. The only mistake by Pettitte came in the fifth inning, as Blue Jays Catcher J.P. Arencibia hit a solo-home run, which was his 19^th of the year, and was the first run for either team in the game.

Yankees Score 8 Unanswered in Game 1 Victory

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 20^th, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap Game 1

Final Score: Blue Jays 4 Yankees 8

The New York Yankees were able to start their four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on a positive note, as they scored eight unanswered runs to take Game 1 of the double-header. The win moves the Yankees to (65-59), which is 7.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East, and six behind the two Wild Card spots.

Blue Jays Starter Esmil Rodgers once again didn’t look to good, but his bullpen also let him down a bit, as his struggles continued on Tuesday afternoon against a better Yankees lineup. Rodgers picked up his eighth loss of the season, as he went five innings allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks. The big blow off Rodgers came in the third inning, when Robinson Cano hit his 200^th career home run, which was a three-run home run. The final run that was charged to Rodgers was allowed by Neil Wagner, who struggled out of the bullpen, by allowing a walk to Jayson Nix, who was followed by Chris Stewart, and Stewart made Wagner pay by hitting a three-run home run for his fourth of the year.

Cano Carries Yankees Past Blue Jays

sports.yahoo.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 18^th, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Blue Jays 2 Yankees 7

The New York Yankees were able to win their second straight game against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon with an impressive seven to two victory. The win keeps the Yankees atop the AL East with a (27-16) record.

The Yankees were led by a strong start from David Phelps for the third straight game, as he earned his second win of the season. Phelps, who is battling for a rotation spot is certainly earning it by the way he is pitching lately, as on Saturday he went seven innings allowing only one run on six hits, three walks, and was able to strikeout eight batters in large part due to his great command of his off-speed pitches. In Phelps' last four starts he has an ERA of 2.84, which is pretty good for a fifth starter.

Yankees Complete Four Game Sweep of Blue Jays

espn.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 28th, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Blue Jays 2 Yankees 3

The New York Yankees were able to complete the four game sweep on the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon, and with the win the Yankees are now (15-9) on the season, as their surprisingly good start to the year continues.

Yankees Starter Phil Hughes had his third consecutive strong start for the Yankees, but didn’t factor in the decision. Hughes went six innings allowing two runs on seven hits, and one walk. Hughes had the strikeout pitches working, as he fanned nine batters on Sunday. This was Hughes third start in a row that he allowed two runs, as his early season woes seem far behind him now.

The Yankees bullpen was great in this one, as Boone Logan, David Robertson, and Mariano Rivera finished off the final three innings. Logan earned his first win of the season, by pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Robertson was solid in the eighth inning leading to Rivera earning his eighth save of the season, which is the most saves he’s ever had in April.

Yankees Return Home and Defeat Blue Jays

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 25th, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Blue Jays 3 Yankees 5

The New York Yankees were able to bounce back from losing their series in Tampa Bay against the Rays, as they were able to return home to Yankees Stadium, and get a win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The win moves the Yankees to (12-9) on the season, which puts them in third place in the AL East.

Yankees Starter Hiroki Kuroda had a very difficult time in the first two innings of the game allowing three runs, but Kuroda was able to settle in and give the Yankees a quality start and earn his third win of the season. Kuroda finished the game going six innings allowing three runs on six hits, and one walk. The damage came early against Kuroda, as he allowed a two-run homerun in the first inning to Edwin Encarnacion, and then a solo-homerun to Brett Lawrie in the second inning. In Kuroda’s final four innings however he didn’t allow a hit to the Blue Jays.

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.