New York Looks To Bounce Back In The Opener Against Toronto

After losing the finale and the series to Tampa Bay New York will look to bounce back in the opener against Toronto. 

New York comes into the opener  of this three -game series  with a record of 75-46 and is in second place in the American League East while Toronto meanwhile comes into the opener of the three game series with a record of 55-66 and is in fourth place in the division. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/standings

Lance Lynn will start the opener for New York. The right -hander comes into the game with a record of 8-8 with a 4.46 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/458681/lance-lynn In three appearances (two starts) since being acquired by the Yankees, Lynn has gone 1-0 with a 0.54 ERA in 16 2/3 innings. In his last start, Lynn gave up one run on five hits through five frames and recorded eight strikeouts against Texas. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Toronto right -hander Marcus Stroman who comes into the game with a record of 4-8 to go along with an earn run average of 5.03. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/573186/marcus-stroman Stroman has produced some encouraging work of late. He allowed five hits and one run through five innings last Sunday vs. Tampa Bay, exiting due to a blister, and went seven innings on Aug. 7 vs. Boston, allowing just two hits and one unearned run. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

As for New York's previous game, they lost to Tampa Bay. 

After the first four hitters of Thursday's series finale against the Rays, it looked like it would be another bullpen day for the Yankees, as starter Masahiro Tanaka allowed four consecutive hits and two runs. But Tanaka quickly put the rough start behind him to grind through six frames without any further damage. His offense was just unable to back him up. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

Tanaka allowed two runs on nine hits, throwing 92 pitches through six innings, as New York's hitters were shut out through the first seven frames in a 3-1 loss in the rubber game against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium. The defeat snapped the Yankees' run of 12 consecutive home series wins against the Rays that dated back to September 2014. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

Obviously in the first inning, those were splits that I gave up a couple of hits on," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "Not much good movement on that, so I knew I needed to make an adjustment on the splitter. I was just really being conscious of trying to throw it low, low, low and I think that was why I was able to get out of the second inning on." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays

One game after going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, the Bombers again had difficulty delivering the timely hit -- thanks in part to a strong start by Blake Snell, who allowed just two hits through five frames. With a runner on second in the eighth, Giancarlo Stanton knocked in the team's lone run on a double off the right-field wall that was originally ruled a home run before being overturned. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

Replay just told us what we did," crew chief Jerry Layne said. "It said that it was a fair ball instead of foul like we thought. We came out of the huddle. Originally [first-base umpire] Greg [Gibson] thought it was a home run and then he said, 'I think it was foul because it hit the wall in foul [territory].'" "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

Although it was clearly not over the fence or off the foul pole, the Yankees were still upset that Stanton had to return to second base when they thought he would've easily had a triple if the play had continued. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

"Yeah, I don't know what was going on there," Stanton said. "I just knew it was fair, but to go from fair, to home run, to foul and then having us have to do a replay -- it should've been a triple. From Mallex Smith's reaction to how far it bounced off, it should've just been a triple and continued." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

The Yankees threatened in the ninth against Sergio Romo after Didi Gregorius and Gleyber Torres -- who snapped an 0-for-17 stretch -- each singled and Neil Walker drew a walk to load the bases with no outs, but they were left stranded as Adam Kolarek came on to force Greg Bird to pop out in foul territory before striking out Brett Gardner and Austin Romine. The Yankees finished the game 1-for-11 with RISP. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

"Yeah, disappointing," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of leaving the bases loaded in the ninth. "I mean, we had a couple chances today to -- for a while there -- get back into the game. Snell for them was, obviously, really good. Made it tough on us, but had some opportunities and when you're not scoring runs in bunches or hitting the ball out of the ballpark, you got to take advantage of those, and that one got away there for us. It's frustrating, but you deal with it and get ready for Toronto. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

Prior to Thursday, New York had gone 47-6 when its starter pitched at least six innings, but the team was unable to rally late to add another victory to the win column. The loss also dropped the Yankees' record to 27-26 against American League East teams, while the first-place Red Sox have gone 43-15 within the division. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

The Rays tacked on their third run of the afternoon on a squeeze bunt by Jake Bauers in the eighth inning off David Robertson. Zach Britton and Tommy Kahnle each worked a scoreless inning in relief. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

HICKS TWEAKS ANKLE
In the eighth inning, Aaron Hicks raced down the first-base line to avoid grounding into a double play. As shortstop Willy Adames threw the ball away, Hicks landed awkwardly on the bag on his right ankle, causing the outfielder to come up with a slight limp that prompted head athletic trainer Steve Donohue to check on Hicks as he walked to second base after the ball went out of play. Hicks remained in the game and scored on the double by Stanton, adding after the game that he does not think the ankle will be an issue going forward. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290617990

"It's good," Hicks said. "It feels a little weird right now, but about to go into the training room right now and get it wrapped up and get ready to play tomorrow. … I feel like I was running out there, I felt pretty good. Just a little sore right now." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-solid-in-yankees-loss-to-rays/c-290

HE SAID IT
"Yeah, I would say [I'm frustrated]. I'm just proud to be playing, to be completely honest. I'm proud to be putting this uniform on every day and going out and playing. It's the most games I've ever played in a season. I kind of look at it like that and it kind of keeps me going." -- Bird, on his frustration with the inconsistency of his offensive production

As for Toronto's previous game,

Like New York, they lost their last game as they lost to Kansas City. 

There were encouraging early signs that Blue Jays starter Sam Gaviglio might be on his way toward getting his first victory since May 25. But after a bizarre balk sequence in the fourth inning, nothing much went right for the right-hander. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

Instead the Royals used a three-run rally in the fourth as a springboard to a 6-2 victory on Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium. That meant Gaviglio's winless streak reached 15 starts, which tied Ricky Romero for the second-longest streak in club history. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

"It was a tough night," manager John Gibbons said of Gaviglio's outing. "He has been getting hit around a little bit lately, primarily because pitches are up in the zone. That's not his style. You can't do that." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

It was all going according to plan for Gaviglio as he held a 2-1 lead in the fourth with two out and none on. But Rosell Herrera singled to right and that's where the positives began to dissipate for Gaviglio. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

On a rainy night that prompted a delay of 2 hours, 14 minutes at the outset, Gaviglio attempted to keep Herrera close by throwing to first. But the ball slipped out of his hand as he was in his throwing motion and Herrera was awarded second on a balk call. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

Gibbons came out for a clarification and the umpires eventually called for a rules check. They received verification that when a pitcher fails to complete a throw to first it is by definition a balk. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

Gaviglio had to stand around and wait for the play to be sorted out and then promptly surrendered three consecutive scoring hits. An RBI triple by Jorge Bonifacio tied the game at 2 and Ryan O'Hearn put the Royals ahead with an RBI single. A run-scoring double by Hunter Dozier  completed the two-out uprising. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

Gaviglio refused to use the delay as an excuse for how his fourth inning unraveled. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

"No, I don't think so," Gaviglio said. "I think I just got a little elevated. Two quick outs [in the fourth]. I need to get through that. I just made a few mistakes and they took advantage of it." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

Royals right-hander Glenn Sparkman , making his first Major League start in place of the injured Danny Duffy , allowed two runs on four hits through four innings before the Kansas City bullpen took over. Gaviglio went 4 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and five runs. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

JANSEN IMPRESSES
In his third Major League start, catcher Danny Jansen  went 1-for-3 with an RBI as he lifted his batting average to .400 (4-for-10). "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

Jansen gave the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead in the second with his sacrifice fly to right. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

Good piece of hitting," Gibbons said. "Two strikes and he shot that ball to right field for a sacrifice fly. He has handled himself like a champ." "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

SOUND SMART
With his outfield assist in the second inning, left fielder Teoscar Hernandez  is only one behind the Major League leaders. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458

First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/sam-gaviglio-labors-in-finale-against-royals/c-290181458