Aaron Judge Rises To The Occasion But It's Not Enough As New York Falls To Toronto In The Finale
Although rookie right fielder Aaron Judge rose to the occasion Sunday in the finale against Toronto after New York clinched a postseason spot Saturday it wasn't enough for them to overcome as they were beaten by Toronto.
what was likely the final home game of Jose Bautista's career with the Blue Jays, the franchise icon helped lead a 9-5 win over the Yankees in the series finale at Rogers Centre on Sunday afternoon. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
In the top of the first inning, Bautista's teammates stayed in the dugout as he took the field alone to a standing ovation. He received the same welcome from the 47,394 fans in all five of his plate appearances, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk. With one out in the ninth inning, manager John Gibbons removed Bautista from the game for one final ovation and a curtain call in front of the Blue Jays' dugout. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
"A lot of feelings," Bautista said after the game. "It's probably hard to narrow down just one or the one that stuck out the most. There were a lot of things that go through your head quickly at that moment. I don't quite remember exactly all of the things that I was thinking about. It was kind of a blur to me, but I enjoyed it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
Aaron Judge did everything in his power to steal the spotlight, with home run Nos. 47 and 48marking the sixth multihomer game of his career. That puts the Yanks slugger within one of the rookie home run record of 49, set by Mark McGwire in 1987, with seven games remaining on the Yankees' schedule. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
"The biggest thing is winning ballgames," Judge said. "This is the right time to get hot. It's coming down to the wire, and I'm going to try to do whatever I can to help the team be in a good position going into October." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
The Yankees clinched a postseason spot on Saturday with their 5-1 win, but with Boston's win over Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon, New York has fallen to five games back in the American League East race. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
"It's getting fairly large with seven games to go," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Obviously, we're going to keep playing, but I think you start to think ahead a little bit, too, as you move forward and try to set up what possibly could be us playing [in the AL Wild Card Game]." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
Marcus Stroman ran onto the field prior to first pitch wearing a black No. 19 Bautista jersey from his 2010 and '11 seasons, when Bautista hit a combined 97 home runs with 227 RBIs. Stroman has been a teammate of Bautista's since entering the big leagues in '14. The right-hander lasted 5 2/3 innings on Sunday with three runs allowed on five hits and four walks to bring his ERA to 3.06. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
New York starter Jaime Garcia struggled with his control, throwing 33 balls and 27 strikes before being pulled after 2 1/3 innings. A midseason acquisition from the Twins, Garcia's spot on the postseason roster could be in jeopardy. He allowed five runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts before the bullpen took over. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
"I just couldn't get a good rhythm going," Garcia said. "I couldn't execute the strike zone like I usually do and want to. It was just one of those days. I haven't had one of those in a while. You've just got to turn the page." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
Teoscar Hernandez went deep for the third consecutive game, making him the first rookie in Blue Jays history to do so. Hernandez turned on the second pitch from Garcia and sent it 420 feet to left field with an exit velocity of 102.5 mph, according to Statcast™. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
Russell Martin delivered the big blow in the bottom of the third, extending Toronto's lead to 5-0 at the time with a three-run double into the right-center-field gap.Justin Smoak and Bautista were followed home by Kendrys Morales, who rounded the bases from first and slid in just ahead of the throw. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
"The focus was Jose today -- what he's done in this town, for this organization and really the country. He helped rebuild the team. He was the face of the franchise for a number of years, and he did it the right way." -- Gibbons, on Bautista "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
The Blue Jays' pitchers set a new franchise record with 1,320 strikeouts on the season, surpassing their old record of 1,314 set in 2016.
The Yankees were threatening in the top of the fourth after an RBI single from Didi Gregorius. With none out and runners on first and second, Starlin Castro grounded to Ryan Goins, who stepped on the bag at second and fired to first to complete the double play. The Yankees challenged the call at first, which was overturned. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
After hitting his bases-loaded single in the fourth, Bautista tried to score all the way from first on a Morales single. He slid headfirst and tried to reach around to tap home plate with his left hand, but he was called out on the play as it appeared he couldn't get his hand around Austin Romine's foot. The call was confirmed after a challenge from the Blue Jays. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/255872988/jose-bautista-helps-lead-blue-jays-vs-yankees/
With the loss, New York drops to 86-69 while Toronto to 73-83 on the season. New York is now 5.0 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 91-64 after edging Cincinnati Sunday.
New York will return to Yankee Stadium Monday as they make up a game from May 25th as they host Kansas City.
Right-hander Jacob Junis who has a record of 8-2 with a 4.05 earn run average will get the start for Kansas City. Junis takes the mound for the Royals in a makeup game at Yankee Stadium. Junis has never faced the Yankees but over his last six starts, he has posted a 2.62 earn run average. He will oppose New York left-hander CC Sabathia who has a record of 12-5 with a 3.81 earn run average. Sabathia picked up the victory his last start, hurling six innings of two-run, six-hit ball to defeat the Twins at Yankee Stadium. He faced Kansas City on May 16, holding the Royals scoreless on five hits over 6 2/3 frames. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/royals-vs-yankees/2017/09/25/490806#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490806
First pitch is set for 1:05 pm. The game will be televised Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/royals-vs-yankees/2017/09/25/490806#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490806