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BASEBALL

Sonny Gray Looks To Bounce Back As New York Visits Toronto

Getting booed by your own fan base is never fun for anyone.

For Sonny Gray he will look to put that and his previous start behind him as he is on the mound tonight as New York visits Toronto.

New York comes into the opener of the three -game series with a record of 56-28 "according to http://www.espn.com.au/mlb/team/_/name/nyy/new-york-yankees and is second in the American League East behind their rival Boston.

As stated above Sonny Gray will start for New York.

The right -hander comes into the opener against Toronto with a record of 5-6 with a 5.44 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/543243/sonny-gray Gray is looking to avoid his third consecutive loss. The righty is coming off one of his worst starts of the year, allowing six runs on seven hits over 2 1/3 innings on Saturday against Boston."according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

He will oppose Toronto right -hander Sam Gaviglio who comes into the opener against New York with a record of 2-2 with a 3.97 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/543208/sam-gaviglio Gaviglio will try to continue where he left off after his last outing against the Tigers, in which he threw seven innings, allowing only three runs. The 28-year-old looked sharp, allowing only four hits, but the Yankees pose a much tougher test. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

As for the finale against Atlanta, New York not only won  but also took the series.

The beginning of Giancarlo Stanton's career as a Yankee was often filled with more boos than cheers as the former Marlin made his transition to the Bronx, but as the slugger's bat continues to get hotter, he's beginning to flip the script. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

With the offense boosted by Stanton's three-run homer in the third inning, blasts from Kyle Higashioka and Aaron Judge helped lift the Yankees to a 6-2 victory over the Braves on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

Stanton sent an 0-2 fastball from right-hander Julio Teheran, who permitted five runs on five hits through five innings, a projected 410 feet, according to Statcast™, into the right-field bleachers for the slugger's 21st long ball of the season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

"You watch him take batting practice and his approach is to try to go [to right field]," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "And then obviously in this building, it's a good approach to have, especially as a right-handed hitter when you have power [and] you can stay on it the other way. With guys like Aaron and Giancarlo, they don't have to get it all to ride it out the other way. So that approach is a wise one, especially when you have power like him." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-brav

Since June 23, Stanton is hitting .378 with seven runs, four doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs in his last 11 games. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

"The main focus was just getting a better feel and letting the ball get deeper and putting the barrel on it," Stanton said. "I definitely feel a difference and just more comfortable in there overall. Just got to keep it going." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

In the fourth, Higashioka launched his third career home run and became the second Yankee in franchise history to have his first three Major League hits go for homers. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

"I couldn't have imagined it like that," Higashioka said of the feat. "But I'm just glad that they're contributing to wins. That's the name of the game here, so I'm just happy that that's the case." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

Judge squeaked one out just over the right-field fence for his 24th of the year in the seventh to cap the scoring. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yan

The Yankees gave CC Sabathia an early 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Greg Bird RBI single to right field. The left-hander had another strong start, keeping the Braves off the board for the first four innings before an RBI groundout by Danny Santana in the fifth and a Johan Camargo homer, which snapped Sabathia's four-start homerless stretch, in the sixth gave Atlanta its two runs of the afternoon. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

"Another really good outing from him," Boone said. "Got tired there a little bit at the end. I think kind of emptying the tank there in that sixth inning. They put some good at-bats on him to get him out of there. But on a hot day, he just went out there and was in control pretty much like we've seen him all year. His pitch mix just is really, really impressive." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

Sabathia picked up his seventh quality start of the year, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings with five strikeouts. After Sabathia made his exit, the Yankees' bullpen took care of the rest, collectively permitting just four hits. Chad Green and Dellin Betances extended their scoreless streaks to 15 1/3 and 16 2/3 innings, respectively. "according tohttps://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

 TORRES HURT
The Yankees placed Gleyber Torres on the 10-day disabled list after an MRI Wednesday showed a right hip strain. Boone noticed Torres trying to stretch during his at-bat in the fourth inning and pulled him. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-brav

SOUND SMART
Sabathia's win marked the 243rd of his career, tying him with Juan Marichal for 53rd on the all-time wins list. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-284236244

HE SAID IT
"He's always been the same, and that's the thing. That's something that I noticed right away. He's been the same guy the whole time, ups and downs, so that's a good sign." -- Sabathia, on Stanton's approach at the plate with and without fans' support "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-homers-yankees-beat-braves/c-2842362

As for Toronto, they come into the opener of the three -game series against New York with a record of 40-46 and are fourth in the division. "according to http://www.espn.com.au/mlb/team/_/name/tor/toronto-blue-jays and like New York are coming off an off day on Thursday  but unlike New York they come into the opener coming off a loss to the Yankees crosstown rival the Mets in Queens.

Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman might have looked like his old self after returning from the disabled list late last month, but Wednesday's outing against the Mets proved that he still has some work to do. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

Stroman opened with four strong innings but saw his outing fall apart in the fifth, when New York sent 10 batters to the plate. When it was all said and done, Stroman was charged with six runs on six hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings in a 6-3 loss at Rogers Centre. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

The 27-year-old Stroman entered this start on a roll. He had allowed just one run over his previous two outings after returning from a right shoulder injury, and earlier Wednesday, manager John Gibbons spent a large chunk of his media availability talking about how the Stroman of old was back. He wasn't, at least not in the finale of a two-game set vs. the Mets. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

"My body feels great, my shoulder feels good, that honestly was the bigger concern," Stroman said. "Just frustrating going out there when I know that I can be better than that and when I don't execute like I should, or am capable of." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

Stroman entered the fifth inning having allowed just one run on 51 pitches. He seemed to be on the verge of a deep start for a Blue Jays team that needed it after veteran starter Marco Estrada was limited to 12 pitches the night before because of a glute injury . That plan unraveled in the fifth inning. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

Mets third baseman Todd Frazier delivered the first blow with a two-run shot to center. Former teammate Jose Bautista and Asdrubal Cabrera followed later in the frame with a pair of RBI singles, and Stroman was pulled after facing eight batters in the frame. Right-hander Luis Santos  was brought in from the bullpen, but it was too late for the Blue Jays as they lost for the eighth time in 18 games. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

Another troubling sign for Stroman was his four walks. He entered this game averaging 3.5 walks per nine innings, which would be a career high. It was one of his biggest problems this season before he hit the DL on May 8 with a 7.71 ERA, and that lack of command returned vs. New York. It was the biggest difference from his previous two starts, when Stroman walked just one over 12 innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

"There were some command issues tonight, primarily with his breaking ball," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He bailed himself out with a couple of nice double plays. I can't say he was rolling along, but he was effective, and then they got to him in the fifth inning. He left some balls up and threw a lot of pitches in that inning. So it was kind of a mixed bag." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

Stroman's struggles overshadowed a productive day for designated hitter Kendrys Morales , who finished 3-for-4 with a double and his ninth home run of the season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

Catcher Russell Martin also had a three-hit night, but for the most part, Toronto's offense was held in check by Corey Oswalt and four Mets relievers. Oswalt allowed two runs over four innings, then Seth Lugo helped bridge the gap to the back end of New York's bullpen with three innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

"I just didn't have a feel for anything today," Stroman said. "From pitch 1, to be honest with you. I walked the first batter. That's super uncharacteristic of me. I just had trouble getting my grip on pitches, but it is what it is and I just look forward to the next one." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

SOUND SMART
• Lourdes Gurriel Jr.  gave the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead in the fourth with an RBI single. He added an RBI groundout in the sixth inning and now has 13 RBIs in his first 24 career games."according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/marcus-stroman-falls-to-mets-with-5-run-inning/c-284257168

First pitch is set for 7:07pm from the Rogers Centre. The game will be televised on Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-07