New York Storms Back To Take The Lead Before Dellin Betances Blows It As Toronto Takes The Series
If there is one player for New York out of the bullpen who hasn't found his command it's 6"8 hard throwing right -hander Dellin Betances as he gave up the lead after New York got out of a 5-0 deficit to take the lead at 6-5.
Russell Martin hit a game-tying home run, then forced in the go-ahead run by working one of four eighth-inning walks issued during a meltdown by All-Star reliever Dellin Betances as the Blue Jays edged the Yankees, 7-6, on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240592540/blue-jays-beat-yankees-on-bases-loaded-walk/
Martin tied the game with a seventh-inning blast into the right-field bullpen off reliever Chad Green, then looked at a 3-2 pitch out of the strike zone in the eighth as Betances once again could not command his pitches, issuing free passes to Miguel Montero, Kevin Pillar, and Ryan Goins to open the inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240592540/blue-jays-beat-yankees-on-bases-loaded-walk/
Russell Martin had this to say Definitely a big series win right there," Martin said. "We had to win that grudge match to kind of have a good flight and feel good about ourselves going into a tough series against Houston. It definitely feels good. It feels like we're on the right track and we're starting to click a little bit, so hopefully, we can keep it going." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240592540/blue-jays-beat-yankees-on-bases-loaded-walk/
New York meanwhile New York took its 16th loss in 22 games despite rallying from a 5-0 deficit after starter Michael Pineda completed just three-plus innings. Aaron Judge hit his Major League-leading 29th homer to tie Joe DiMaggio's Yankees rookie record, and Ji-Man Choi slugged a two-run blast in his Bombers debut before All-Star hopeful Didi Gregorius slammed a two-run double to in the fifth.
That damage all came off Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada, who permitted six runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Justin Smoak and Kendrys Morales hit back-to-back homers off Pineda in the third inning, and Pillar added a solo shot in the fourth to build Toronto's early lead. Betances has taken the loss in three of his past four outings, allowing 10 walks and seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings (23.62 ERA).
Dellin Betances had this to say about his outing.
"I feel like I'm not consistent with my mechanics right now, and it shows by the walks that I've had," Betances said. "When there's a runner on first, I'm trying to go quick, and my timing is just not there right now. I find that my stuff is there but the timing in my delivery is not there, and it's causing me to fall behind guys and walk guys." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240592540/blue-jays-beat-yankees-on-bases-loaded-walk/
It was just the fourth win in 13 games for the Blue Jays, who are rumored to be considering selling off pieces of their roster as the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches. Toronto has picked up back-to-back victories for the first time since June 18-19, and the winning will have to continue if the club wants to avoid becoming sellers. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240592540/blue-jays-beat-yankees-on-bases-loaded-walk/
"If we're going to make a run at this, we have to beat teams like this," Estrada said. "This was a huge series. We took two out of three, and everybody played really well. … Things are turning. They are turning for everybody. Even myself, they're going to turn." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240592540/blue-jays-beat-yankees-on-bases-loaded-walk/
Betances' erratic command has become cause for concern in the Yankees' clubhouse. He threw just nine of 27 pitches for strikes in Wednesday's outing, including 10 straight out of the zone. When Betances finally pumped a fastball past Jose Bautista for a called strike, the crowd of 38,691 cheered. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240592540/blue-jays-beat-yankees-on-bases-loaded-walk/
"Obviously, you hear it when you're in a tough spot like that," Betances said. "You try to block them out, but they're ecstatic because I threw strikes here and there. You don't want to be in that position. I put myself in a tough spot, and I put my team in a bad spot." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/240592540/blue-jays-beat-yankees-on-bases-loaded-walk/
What does New York pitching coach Larry Rothchild need to do to help Dellin Betances who has a record of 3-4 find his command and consistency again so that he can find the strike zone instead of walking the opponent and blowing the game for his team?
New York dropped to 44-39 on the season and is now four games back of their American League East rival Boston who is leading the division.
New York has the day off Thursday before starting a three-game series with Milwaukee on Friday at Yankee Stadium before the all-star break.