After ending streaks, Yankees vie for series win vs. Blue Jays
The visiting New York Yankees aim to ride the momentum from a dramatic win into the rubber match of their three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.
Ben Rice snapped a tie with a home run in the ninth inning against Toronto closer Jeff Hoffman in the Yankees' 5-4 win on Tuesday night.
The Yankees had dropped five straight games in Toronto this season, including a 4-1 loss Monday in the opener of the series.
'We got the monkey off our back a little bit there,' said Yankees Devin Williams, who pitched the bottom of the ninth to earn the save on Tuesday. 'I said earlier, 'We played five games here and haven't come away with a win once.' So, it was nice to have a lead and be able to lock it down and leave with a win.'
'It's huge,' Rice said. 'Obviously, we lost five in a row to these guys, so coming back and getting a win here gives us some good momentum heading into tomorrow.'
The Yankees snapped Toronto's 11-game home winning streak and moved to within three games of the first-place Blue Jays in the American League East.
Momentum is said to be the next day's pitcher and the Yankees have a good candidate to provide it on Wednesday with scheduled starter Max Fried (11-3, 2.43 ERA). The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in five career starts against the Blue Jays.
Fried left his last start before the All-Star break on July 12 with a blister on his left index finger. He was considered ready to start on Wednesday.
He will be facing a strong mound opponent in right-hander Chris Bassitt (10-4, 3.89), who is scheduled to start for Toronto. He is 4-1 with a 2.03 ERA in seven career starts against the Yankees and is 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA in two starts versus them this season.
In addition to Rice's big blast on Wednesday, the Yankees got two doubles, a homer and a couple superb catches in left field from Cody Bellinger. Jazz Chisholm Jr. belted a three-run homer on Tuesday.
The Yankees overcame another throwing error by shortstop Anthony Volpe that led to two unearned runs in the sixth inning. Rice could not make the scoop on the one-bounce throw. Volpe and Oswald Peraza also contributed two unearned runs to the Blue Jays with throwing errors on Monday.
The Yankees made the most of their chances, going 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position and stranding three runners. The Blue Jays were 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base.
Toronto's bullpen was solid leading to Hoffman, who was pitching for the fourth time in five days. His use is a sign of playing in meaningful games in a division race and could indicate where Toronto's priorities might be at the trade deadline.
'He does such a good job of letting us know how he feels,' Toronto manager John Schneider said. 'We're at the point now where guys are going to have to be pushed a little bit. I didn't want to start the ninth inning with someone else and then feel the urge to bring Jeff in. I'd rather give them a clean inning. Just a pull heater there to Rice. They can hit home runs, that's what they do.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
38 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Twins All-Star Byron Buxton is day-to-day with rib cartilage irritation
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins announced on Sunday that All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton is day-to-day with cartilage irritation in his rib cage. Buxton was pulled from Saturday's game against Washington after he experienced discomfort in his side while running. An MRI performed on Sunday confirmed the irritated cartilage.
Winnipeg Free Press
38 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rangers strike early, run winning streak to 6 with 8-1 victory over struggling Braves
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Josh Smith hit a two-run home run, Wyatt Langford had a bases-clearing double and the surging Texas Rangers piled up eight runs in the first three innings in an 8-1 victory over the struggling Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Josh Jung added a two-run single to help the Rangers sweep the three-game series. Rookie Jack Leiter (7-6) set a career high with 100 pitches and matched a career mark with seven strikeouts. He allowed a run on two hits and three walks over six innings. Texas (56-50) has won six straight games, going six games over .500 for the first time since April 6. The Rangers are four games out of first place in the AL West, gaining seven games since July 8, and are a half-game out of a wild-card spot. Atlanta starter Bryce Elder (4-7), who grew up about an hour's drive northwest of Arlington in Decatur, gave up all eight runs. The Braves (44-60) managed only four hits in dropping their fifth straight. Having played in the last seven postseasons, they're 12 games out of a wild-card position. Texas' Corey Seager singled and walked to extend his on-base streak to 27 games, the majors' longest current streak. Key moment Leiter pitched with a 3-1 lead but runners at second and third with one out in the second after Sean Murphy's RBI double, then retired Ozzie Albies and Nick Allen on weak contact. Key stat Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Rangers went 8-1 on their homestand following the All-Star break. Up next Both teams will play Monday nighton the road. Braves RHP Spencer Strider (4-8, 3.72 ERA) will face 45-year-old Kansas City LHP Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80). Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom (10-2, 2.28) will go against the Los Angeles Angels. ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
38 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alex Bregman hits 2-run HR, Red Sox take series vs. Dodgers with 4-3 win
BOSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth inning and the Boston Red Sox hung on to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 Sunday for a series win. Rookie Roman Anthony added an RBI triple for the Red Sox, who captured their first series since the All-Star break. Boston had a 10-game winning streak entering the break. Boston closer Aroldis Chapman walked off the mound with an apparent injury in the eighth inning. In to face the top of the Dodgers' order, his velocity was noticeably down to the mid-90 mph on his fastball instead of the high 90s to low 100s. Michael Conforto hit a solo homer and had two doubles for the Dodgers. Jordan Hicks entered and got out of a two-on, one-out mess when Teoscar Hernández lined to second and Ceddanne Rafaela dove to the bag, beating Hyeseong Kim for double play. Hicks pitched the ninth for his second save. Brennan Bernardino (4-2) got an out in relief for the victory. Facing his former team for the first time since getting the final out of the World Series for them last fall, Boston right-hander Walker Buehler gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Dodgers had opened a 3-1 lead in the fourth against Buehler when Conforto homered and Mookie Betts added an RBI single. Dodgers starter Dustin May (6-7) allowed four runs in five innings. Key moment Bregman hit a first-pitch sweeper from May over the Green Monster that caromed off a billboard onto the field. May dropped his head back in disbelief after the ball left Bregman's bat. Key stat Boston improved to 11-2 in its past 13 games at Fenway Park. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Up next Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-7, 2.55 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday in Cincinnati. Red Sox: RHP Richard Fitts (1-4, 4.86) is set to start Monday at Minnesota. ___ AP MLB:
