*Photo from CBC*
Just a few days ago, the New York Yankees were holding the top wild card spot in the AL, seeming poised to overcome a horrid first half and get back to the playoffs. Well, the first half Yankees have showed up in full force over the last week. Bo Bichette homered and drove in two runs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr homered, and the Toronto Blue Jays swept the Yankees with a 6-4 win Thursday night.
The Blue Jays have looked like a completely different team since the calendar turned to September. They've won 8 straight games and 11 of their last 12, and with the win, clinched their first sweep against the Yankees in New York since 2003. They've also roared back into the wild card picture, sitting just a half game back of the Yankees for the second wild card spot, and 1 1/2 games behind Boston for the first wild card.
For the Yankees, it's been a complete downfall after winning 13 games in a row. The Yankees have now lost 6 straight games and 10 of their last 12, falling from comfortably in the top wild card spot to barely hanging on to a playoff spot. The Yankees also never had a lead at any point in this series, the first time that's happened in a series of 4 games or more since 1924 against the Washington Senators.
Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said of his team that "They're never going to quit. We played on the road for nearly two years. We did it this year again in Dunedin, Buffalo. You can see our record in Toronto, what that does for us when you have people pulling for you. They never complained. That’s why we’re in this spot right now, because this team never complained. They’re already ready to play wherever we are. That’s why we’re here. That’s the team we have. No excuses."
Bichette got the game going early, hitting a leadoff solo home run in the first inning, giving Toronto a very early 1-0 lead. In the 5th, Randal Grichuk doubled the lead with a solo home run of his own, going to left field and making it 2-0 Jays. In the 6th inning, the Yankees tied it thanks to the bat of Anthony Rizzo, launching a two run home run to right field and tying it 2-2. In the 7th, an RBI single by Bichette put Toronto back ahead 3-2.
In the 8th, the Jays were able to push across one more run, after Danny Jansen drew a bases loaded walk to make it 4-2. In the 9th, a solo home run by Guerrero and an RBI double from Breyvic Valera increased the Blue Jay lead to 6-2. In the bottom of the 9th, the Yankees got solo home runs from Gary Sanchez and Luke Voit to trim it to 6-4, but that was all they could muster.
Jose Berrios got the start for Toronto, and performed admirably, getting the win to move to 11-7 this season. He was charged with two runs on 5 hits and two walks, with 8 punchouts across 6 2/3 innings pitched. Joakim Soria finished the 7th before giving way to Tim Mayza, who added a scoreless 8th inning. Nate Pearson locked it down in the 9th, despite giving up two runs.
Berrios said of the team he's with now that "This amazing group, they like to have fun out there, and it’s the most important thing. They have great ability and can do so many good things out there. They believe in themselves. I came here and joined that group having fun out there. I love this sport. Having a group like this motivates me to be me and do my work out there."
Sal Romano was hit with the loss in relief for the Yankees, dropping to 0-2 this season after lasting just 2/3 of an inning, giving up one run on two hits and one walk. Nestor Cortes Jr gave the Yankees a solid start, allowing two runs on 6 hits, walking no one and striking out 5 across 6 innings, but it was not meant to be for the Yanks. Wandy Peralta and Andrew Heaney also pitched in relief.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed their skid, saying that "We just had a horrible homestand. It's not ok. We're angry about it. But we’ve been through this throughout the season. We’re up against it again. And we look forward to going out and turn this around tomorrow."
The Blue Jays open a weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night, with Robbie Ray taking the mound to start off the series. The Yankees start the Subway series with the New York Mets on Friday, where Jordan Montgomery starts as New York tries to get back on track.
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