There’s a chance that the Toronto Blue Jays will make the postseason thanks to some stingy pitching.
Kevin Gausman outdueled Michael King in a strikeout bаttle across six scoreless innings, and the Toronto Blue Jays beаt the New York Yankees 6-1 on Wednesday to extend their winning streak to five games.
In his own words, “it’s just fun to be playing meaningful games,” Gausman remarked. “Right now, every game is crucial, and every victory brings us that much closer to our ultimate goal.”
The Blue Jays, who are in a dogfight for a playoff spot in the American League, scored five runs in the ninth and tenth innings to maintain a one-game lead over Texas and Seattle. Since being swept at home by the Rangers in four games last week, Toronto has won all of their subsequent games.
An about-face, to quote Gausman. To quote one player: “Coming off the worst series of the year and then sweeping Boston and obviously coming here and winning the first two, it’s been night and day demeanor-wise, clubhouse energy.”
With the bases loaded, the Blue Jays scored five runs in the eighth inning thanks to four consecutive walks issued by two relievers and two RBI hits by Spencer Horwitz and Bo Bichette.
Manager John Schneider remarked, “Guys were patient.” “Really liked how the leadership kept getting passed around.”
King (4-7), a former reliever who made his seventh start of the season and who struck out a career-high 13 batters in seven innings while throwing 101 pitches, was dealt a tough loss. Bichette’s infield Һit off his glove in the third inning allowed the only run Toronto would score in an inning that saw three consecutive two-out singles.
Since Gerrit Cole struck out 14 Twins batters on September 7, 2022, this was the most strikeouts by a Yankees pitcher.
This was a “pretty special performance by him,” New York manager Aaron Boone remarked. It’s tҺrilling to watch. I’m hoping this is a preview of things to come.
New York (76-76) lost their third consecutive game, further diminishing their slim playoff chances. During their losing streak, the Yankees have scored only four runs, and their manager, Aaron Boone, was ejected in the second inning of their most recent game.
After arguing balls and strikes with plate umpire Lance Barrett, Boone was ejected for the eighth time this season, tying Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell for the most among MLB managers. In his six years as a manager in the major leagues, all with the New York Yankees, Boone has been dismissed 33 times.
Boone complained, “I thought he called a lot of pitches (that were) low and I let him know that, and I got thrown out.”
After a crаzy outing last week in which he walked six batters over 4 2/3 innings and lost to Texas, Gausman (12-9) has since gotten back on track. This time around, he only allowed three innocuous hits and ten strikeouts.
Schneider remarked, “He improved with each inning.” One may sаy, “He’s as good as they get.”
In three starts versus the Yankees this season, the right-hander is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA. Since 1970, only Pedro Martinez (2001) and Chris Sale (2017) have had three games against the Bronx Bombers with ten or more strikeouts.
To paraphrase, “We got that one run, and it was in the back of my mind and I kind of said, that might be the difference tonight,” Gausman said. “It was great to see some late runs and open up a bit of a cushion in the lead.”
For Toronto, the game was wrapped up by Chad Green, Jordan Hicks, and Erik Swanson.
Austin Wells, a rookie catcher, singled off of Gausman and Һit his first career home run off of Swanson in the ninth inning, sending the ball into the second deck in right center.
DRAGGIN’ DRAGGETT
Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees’ designated hitter, finished 0 for 4 with a strikeout and has just two singles in his last 39 at-bats. This season, he has a.188 batting average.
Bad, he characterized it as.
ROOM FOR TRAINERS
Blue Jays: Designated Hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was taken out of the game at the last minute due to right knee pаin. During the game, he underwent an MRI; results are expected on Thursday. He wasn’t comfortable with his batting routine, before to the game, Schneider said. Just want to exercise caution around him. I decided not to force it today. LHP, as Schneider put it Yusei Kikuchi reported feeling fine and is on track to start his next game as scheduled. Kikuchi left Tuesday’s start in the sixth inning with a cramp in his left upper trap muscle and was taken out of the game for precautionary reasons.
For the Yankees, LHP Wandy Peralta (triceps) is now out of commission. OF Rookie Dr. Keith Meister of Arlington, Texas, operated on Jasson Domnguez’s throwing elbow with the Tommy John procedure. The treatment, which involved the installation of internal bracing, was claimed to take place, and the researchers estimated a 9-month recuperation period.