He allowed a solo shot to Starlin Castro in the third and an RBI single to Brian McCann later in the frame but held the damage there.
Advertisement
It should be noted that the Yankees are now only 4.5 games back from first place in the division, and they are 3.5 games out of the second American League Wild Card spot. “And it’s been fun”.
For the first time since August 12, the Blue Jays fell out of the top spot in the AL East.
Ryon Healy, whose single broke up starter Ricky Nolasco’s bid for a flawless game in the sixth, hit an RBI single before Wendle lined a hit to right to drive in pinch-runner Arismendy Alcantara and Marcus Semien.
“I knew I was going to be able to catch up to it and get to it, I just didn’t know if I was going to run out of room or not”, Gardner said. Great job-we’ll see him in five days’ time. They’ll have a chance to complete a third sweep during the series finale September 7. Odorizzi (9-6) lost for the first time in 10 starts since the All-Star break, giving up seven runs, six hits and three walks over four innings. Take for example a two-out double by Troy Tulowitzki in the second inning that they were unable to cash in on.
The Yankees had lost in each of their previous seven attempts at a series sweep of at least three games and were 2-9 in those situations this season before wiping out the Blue Jays. Assuming the Indians and Rangers win the Central and West divisions, respectively, there are as many as eight teams still in play for the other three AL playoff berths.
“That was a huge team win for us”, Austin said, “and a special moment”. The 29-year-old rookie replaced Brad Peacock.
“(Mitchell) was a big loss, but he’s back now”, Girardi said before the game.
Mitchell was promoted Tuesday from Class AAA after missing much of the season because of a broken left toe sustained late in spring training. He’s 0-3 in stints the past two years with NY. “He was outstanding, I thought his cutter was good and I thought his best inning was the fifth inning and I don’t think you could ask for anything more”.
Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury each had two hits in the game. The last out he got was of the white-knuckle variety, watching Edwin Encarnacion’s high fly drift to within inches of the wall before right fielder Tyler Austin hauled it in. Girardi hoped to avoid using Dellin Betances, Tyler Clippard, Adam Warren and Luis Severino, so he had to dig deep in the bullpen when CC Sabathia went just four innings, allowing three homers while throwing 87 pitches. His only other save this season came with Arizona before he was traded back to NY.
That wasn’t the case Wednesday, when Marcus Stroman needed 97 pitches to grind through five frames, but allowed just two runs while striking out eight.
Three different pitchers earned saves in the series, and four have saves in New York’s last six wins. Clippard became the AL-high eighth reliever to get a save for the Yankees this year, matching a franchise record.
LHP Aaron Loup was called up from Triple-A Buffalo for his fourth stint with the Blue Jays. Martin (left knee) was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the ninth.
Sanchez and Judge will be back in the starting lineup Thursday, Girardi said. The big closer threw 40 pitches Tuesday, his third straight day of work.
Blue Jays: Following an off day, Toronto begins a pivotal, three-game series Friday night at home against Boston. RHP Marco Estrada (8-7, 3.56 ERA) starts the opener for the Blue Jays against Rick Porcello (19-3, 3.23), the major league leader in wins.
Advertisement
ATHLETICS 4, ANGELS 1 The entire infield ran to the mound to congratulate Jharel Cotton on a memorable major league debut, and he showed last-place Oakland a glimpse of a promising future when it beat visiting Los Angeles.
