CC Sabathia Returns To The Rotation As New York Looks To Bounce Back In The Opener Against Toronto
After being on the disabled list with right hip soreness the 37 -year old veteran left-hander CC Sabathia will return to the starting rotation as New York will look to bounce back in their opener Thursday of a four-game series against Toronto.
CC Sabathia will be activated from the 10-day disabled list to open the Yankees' four-game series with the Blue Jays. Sabathia last pitched on April 6 against the Orioles, working 4 innings and giving up 3 runs before exiting with right hip soreness. "according tohttp://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Toronto right -hander Aaron Sanchez who comes into the game against New York with a record of 1-1 with a 3.66 earn run average. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/31254/aaron-sanchez Sanchez is coming off back-to-back quality starts, the latter an eight-inning outing vs. the Orioles in which he allowed just three hits and one run while picking up his first win of the season. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy
New York comes into their game with Toronto with a record of 8-8 "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/nyy/new-york-yankees and is coming off a loss to Miami on Tuesday.
The Yankees had done Masahiro Tanaka no favors with their bats or gloves by the fifth inning on Tuesday, when the hurler watched the Marlins' J.T. Realmuto pummel a fat fastball into the right-field seats. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
Realmuto's three-run shot effectively put the game out of reach, but things had been trending that way for most of the evening, as Tanaka and the Yankees endured a sloppy all-around performance that led to a 9-1 loss to the Marlins at Yankee Stadium. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
I feel like I wasn't able to control the game," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "You get runners on and that happens, but you've got to try to minimize damage. I feel like I wasn't able to do a good job of that." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
Tanaka was peppered for seven runs (six earned) and eight hits over five innings, including Realmuto's homer, highlighting the Miami catcher's return from the disabled list. Meanwhile, Marlins starter Jarlin Garcia showcased his arsenal, holding New York hitless into the fifth inning. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
"He was moving all over the plate, in and out, keeping his offspeed low," said Giancarlo Stanton, who went hitless against his former club and again heard boos from an announced crowd of 34,005. "We weren't able to get a hold of him." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
Shortstop Didi Gregorius committed a throwing error as part of Miami's three-run first inning, and catcher Gary Sanchez threw wildly for a second-inning error that allowed Cameron Maybin to reach second base on a bunt. Maybin then scored on a Derek Dietrich single that clanged off of second baseman Neil Walker's glove. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
Though it was credited as a hit, Miguel Andujar was unable to glove Starlin Castro's two-out roller toward third base in the fifth. Tanaka walked the next hitter before serving up Realmuto's first homer of the year, opening up a seven-run lead for Miami. New York's 17 errors are the most in the American League. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
"That's got to be better," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "When you're trying to get traction, that's one of those areas that when it's not going well in a particular area, when you're catching the ball, it always gives you a chance. We've got to get better in that department, and we will." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
SOUND SMART
Aaron Judge's 12-game hitting streak was snapped, as he went 0-for-2 with two walks, but Gregorius knocked an eighth-inning double that marked his 13th extra-base hit of the season. Gregorius is the seventh Yankee since 1908 to collect at least 13 extra-base hits through 16 team games, a feat last accomplished by Alex Rodriguez (19 in 2007). "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Andujar's fifth-inning double was the Yankees' lone hit off of Garcia, who walked five and struck out two over five frames. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
Andujar broke up the shutout with two outs in the ninth inning, launching his first Major League home run off Brad Ziegler. New York finished 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine men on. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
"These guys are pros," Boone said. "These guys are grinding away in every way you can and will continue to do that. Eventually, we'll get it rolling." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
"These guys are pros," Boone said. "These guys are grinding away in every way you can and will continue to do that. Eventually, we'll get it rolling." according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
HE SAID IT
"They made some fine plays, too. Errors are part of the game. You can't really make that an excuse. Even given that situation, you've got to execute pitches and make outs. I have to do a better job of that."
-- Tanaka "according to HE SAID IT "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-yankees-lose-to-marlins/c-272605186
Toronto meanwhile comes into their game against New York with a record of 12-5 "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/ and is coming off a win where they won in a blowout.
The Blue Jays are off to one of their best starts in recent memory, and now they have a sweep to show for it.
Teoscar Hernandez and Yangervis Solarte homered, while Curtis Granderson added the ninth grand slam of his career as Toronto extended its winning streak to four games with a 15-5 victory over the Royals on Wednesday afternoon at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays improved to 12-5 for just the sixth time in franchise history and picked up their first series sweep since July 24-27, 2017, vs. Oakland. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
Toronto has not enjoyed this strong of a start to the year since 2009. The Blue Jays have yet to lose a series (5-0-1), and they already have as many wins this season as they did on May 7 of last year. The .785 (11-3) winning percentage they have this month is ahead of the highest total the Blue Jays have had for April, which was .696 (16-7) in 1992. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
We really swung the bats well this series, and I thought we pitched good enough, considering the long layoff that a lot of our guys had," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "You try to win every game. We're playing good baseball. Bottom line, doing everything well and you want to ride that." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
There are plenty of reasons behind the Blue Jays' fast start, but likely the most surprising thing has been the production of Toronto's offense. The lineup was supposed to be a weakness, but the Blue Jays are averaging 6.1 runs per game, which is ranked the third in the American League. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
One key to Toronto's success has been timely hits, as the Blue Jays continue to lead the AL in batting average with runners in scoring position. The Blue Jays went 5-for-19 in those situations on Wednesday afternoon, and they are now batting .343 with RISP this season. That's ahead of Boston, which entered play Wednesday night with a .321 average in similar conditions."according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
The ability for anybody to come up in a big situation," said Granderson, who delivered the final blow with his ninth-inning grand slam. "On the outside looking in, you go, 'Okay, if I can eliminate this guy from the lineup, we have a chance to beat them.' I'm not sure who that one guy is, because so many different guys have come up on different days and different occasions. Defensively, offensively, on the basepaths. That's a good thing." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
Left-hander J.A. Happ picked up the victory for Toronto despite surrendering a couple of home runs of his own. Happ was charged with four runs on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out eight. He threw 63 of his 99 pitches for strikes, and he has now struck out at least eight batters in all but one of his four starts this season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
"I don't know what I expected, but it was fun to watch," Happ said. "We stayed on them again today, and that's how you win ballgames. It's tough to sweep anybody. To be able to do that, get some momentum after a few crazy days that we had, that's nice for us." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Hernandez on a roll: Hernandez continues to make a strong case that he deserves to stick around when Kendrys Morales returns from the disabled list later this week. Hernandez delivered a two-run homer off Kennedy in the bottom of the third inning for his fourth extra-base hit in four games since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo. Hernandez doesn't have a guaranteed job, but as long as he continues to out-hit right fielder Randal Grichuk, there will be cause for regular playing time. Hernandez finished 4-for-6 with four RBIs and a pair of runs scored."according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
"Every time I get the chance, I'm trying to do my best," Hernandez said. "If it happens, it happens. I can't control that. But every time I get the chance, I try to do my best and try to do some damage to the other team." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
The Maile Man: Toronto entered the bottom of the fifth inning with the game tied at 4 until Kansas City's Paulo Orlando dropped a fly ball in left field that allowed one run to score. Gibbons then decided to pinch-hit backup catcher Luke Maile for Gift Ngoepe with a pair of runners on base. Maile made his manager look like a genius by hitting an RBI single through the left side of the infield. Maile, who hit a walkoff single vs. the Royals on Tuesday night, has eight RBIs this season, one more than he had all of last year. Maile added a double in the seventh inning."according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
SOUND SMART
Kevin Pillar extended his hitting streak to nine games with a 3-for-5 day at the plate, which also included a pair of doubles and an RBI. Pillar has 50 hits over the past two Aprils, which is the third most in the Major Leagues during that span."according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
HE SAID IT
"I got pretty excited. I got too much, I think. That's what made me strike out. But I wanted it. I've never hit a cycle before, and I was looking for a pitch to drive to the outfield to get the double." -- Hernandez, who finished a double shy of the cycle, on his final at-bat in the ninth inning "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-dominates-in-sweep-of-royals/c-272775478
First pitch is set for 6:35pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2018/04/19/529690?#game_state=preview,lock_state=preview,game_tab=,game=529690