James Paxton Picks Up 9th Straight Win As New York Bounces Back In Toronto

The opening game on Friday in Toronto may not have not gone the way New York wanted but the second sure did go their way as James Paxton who is from Canada and who’s nickname is the Big Maple picked up his ninth straight win while New York evened up the series.

Paxton earned the decision in a 13-3 win over the Blue Jays to become just the fourth Yankees pitcher since 1961 to win nine consecutive starts, joining Whitey Ford, Ron Guidry and Mike Mussina. The Canadian native held Toronto to one run and three hits in five innings, with Brett Gardner leading New York’s offensive outburst. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

With the win, the Yankees’ magic number to clinch the American League East was cut to four, and it stayed that way after the Rays defeated the Angels in Anaheim. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

Paxton's latest effort didn’t start out easy, as he labored through a 31-pitch first inning. He issued a nine-pitch walk to Bo Bichette and a double to Lourdes Gurriel Jr., but managed to strand them both. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

After Gurriel Jr.’s double, Paxton retired 11 of the next 12 batters over three-plus innings. The fifth inning brought some trouble, but he dialed up a 95.8-mph fastball -- his hardest pitch of the day -- to fan Gurriel Jr. and strand another pair of runners. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

“Didn’t have a lot in the tank today,” said Paxton, who needed 101 pitches to get through his five frames. “Didn’t have the sharpest stuff, but was able to make pitches when I needed to, to get out of innings.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

When he wasn’t making pitches, Paxton could sit back and watch Yankees hitters put on a show. New York collected 19 hits as a team, including two home runs and a double from Gardner. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

Power has never been the primary tool of Gardner’s game. In a 12-year career, he has only surpassed the 20-homer mark twice. Meanwhile, he has stolen 20 or more bases seven times. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

But at the ripe age of 36, Gardner is posting career-best numbers in home runs (25), slugging percentage (.500) and OPS (.823). He feels that his age has been a helpful factor, as opposed to something he’s overcoming.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

“I feel like the older I get, the smarter I get,” Gardner said. “I take better care of myself.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

His 129 games played ranks third on the team, behind Gleyber Torres (136) and DJ LeMahieu (134). Pair that with his power production, and Gardner is helping to fill some of the void left behind by injured sluggers Giancarlo Stanton and Miguel Andújar. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

“He’s durable, he’s really competitive -- he hasn’t stopped being a good player,” manager Aaron Boone said of Gardner. “We wouldn’t be this well off without him, that’s for sure.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/brett-gardner-5-rbis-james-paxton-9th-straight-win

While New York evened up the series and James Paxton picked up his ninth straight win Toronto meanwhile had a setback.

-- Saturday’s 13-3 loss to the Yankees at Rogers Centre didn’t see much go right for the Blue Jays, but it did offer Vladimir Guerrero Jr. an opportunity to right a wrong and take a step forward defensively. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

It started in Friday’s opener against the Yankees, in an ugly defensive fifth inning when Guerrero fielded a ground ball with runners on the corners. Instead of taking the aggressive play at home or the easy out at first, Guerrero whipped the ball across his body to second base, and everyone was safe. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

Manager Charlie Montoyo pulled his young star aside to talk about it. Guerrero knew it was the wrong play, but he’s 20. Coming from a player development background in the Minor Leagues, Montoyo knows this as well as any manager in the Majors. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

A cornerstone of player development is learning from mistakes and executing better the next time that situation comes around. Guerrero didn’t have to wait long, and he nailed his next chance. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

In the top of the third inning on Saturday, the Yankees had runners on the corners once again with no outs when Gleyber Torres ripped a grounder to Guerrero at 104.1 mph off the bat, according to Statcast. Guerrero didn’t flinch as he scooped it up and fired home to Danny Jansen for a quick and successful rundown that ended with DJ LeMahieu retired and Bo Bichette playing the role of traffic cop as he covered the bag.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

It’s not all roses, of course. Guerrero is 7-for-42 in September with only two extra-base hits and, later in the game, he committed his team-leading 17th error of the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

“He’s slumping right now,” Montoyo said. “That happens. It’s his first time [playing] in September, so he’s got to make an adjustment when that happens. I might give him tomorrow off, and then it’s two days off [with Monday’s off-day], and he might get going again.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

The important distinction on Saturday's error is that it could be categorized as a physical error, not a mental error. The latter type of mistake is what frustrates Montoyo, and there have been too many in September, especially over the past few games at home.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

“That error that he had, it doesn’t bother me, because it was a tough play,” Montoyo said. “The ball bounced up a little bit with [Brett] Gardner running. He’s been playing really good, and he did a good job. He adjusted today on that ball that went home, and he got the guy. It’s good to see that he’s learning from yesterday. He already did.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-defense-in-spotlight

New York and Toronto will play their finale on Sunday where Jordan Montgomery will make his season debut for New York.