James Paxton Picks Up Tenth Straight Win As New York Beats Toronto

Lately James Paxton has been the most consistent starter for the team that wears the pinstripes.

His consistency continued against Toronto as the left-hander picked up his tenth straight victory as well as his fifteenth on the season as New York beat Toronto 7-2. . “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

As for the offense Giancarlo Stanton helped James Paxton pick up his tenth win of the season.

Stanton homered and doubled in his third game since returning from the injured list, I feel like my at-bats have been pretty good,” Stanton said. “I'm just working off of better at-bats as I go along. I've got to re-learn how to jog around the bases a little bit.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

Stanton launched his second home run of the season in the sixth inning, a no-doubt solo blast to the left-field bleachers off right-hander Brock Stewart. The drive traveled a Statcast-calculated 420 feet, coming off of Stanton’s bat at 111.5 mph, to the delight of Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

“I've been encouraged,” said Boone, who was ejected for arguing balls and strikes after the first inning. “He's been able to see a lot of live pitching, have a lot of at-bats. It's always good to get some results in your first few games back. I feel like he's stringing some good at-bats together. Hopefully he can continue to build and get into a nice rhythm as we get ready for October.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

Stanton said that he is continuing to perform right knee maintenance, having missed 73 games with a strain of his right posterior cruciate ligament. His next objective is to play nine innings in the field, which Stanton said he will want to do once or twice before the playoffs begin. He played six in left on Saturday, with Cameron Maybin entering in the seventh to replace him. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

“As long as I get one or two of those, I think I'll be good,” Stanton said. “I need the game movements and to be out there more and more, and to get a few more balls.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

Good company

With six innings of one-run ball -- the run was unearned, the result of a third-inning Didi Gregorius error -- Paxton joined Jack Chesbro (14 in 1904), Russ Ford (12 in ‘10), Ron Guidry (11 in ‘79, 10 in '78), Whitey Ford (11 in ‘61) and Lefty Gomez (10 in ‘32) as the only Yankees to win 10 or more consecutive starts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

“It's been awesome,” Paxton said. “I feel like I've been throwing the ball really well, being aggressive in the strike zone. The team has been playing great on the days that I start. I've had some good stretches in the past, but this is probably the longest stretch that I've had in my career so far.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

Paxton permitted just three hits, striking out seven without a walk. The lefty owns a 2.25 ERA since his streak began on Aug. 2, shaving his season ERA from 4.72 (on July 26) to 3.73. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

“He's done a really good job from a focus standpoint of having blinders on,” Boone said. “He's locked in on what he needs to do to execute. He's really confident in how he wants to attack and how he wants to use his pitches. You couple that with the fact that he's got great stuff, and that's a really dangerous recipe.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

New York built a lead for Paxton in the fourth inning, as Stanton doubled home a run and Mike Ford laced an RBI single off Toronto starter T.J. Zeuch. The Yanks piled on after Stanton’s sixth-inning homer, with Clint Frazier knocking a run-scoring double and Kyle Higashioka smacking a two-run single in the four-run frame.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

The Yanks’ possible starter for Game 1 of the American League Division Series, Paxton acknowledged that he is beginning to dream about his postseason debut. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

“You definitely think about it, because it is coming. It's around the corner,” Paxton said. “I'm focusing on one day at a time, one game at a time. I'll do the same in the postseason.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

Speed thrills

Jonathan Loaisiga bolstered his campaign for a spot on the Yanks’ postseason roster by striking out five over two innings of one-run relief, including the game’s fastest pitch, a 100.2 mph fastball that he blew past Richard Urena for a swinging strike in the seventh inning. It was the fastest pitch registered in Loaisiga’s big league career. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

“You see him throw the ball like today, and you know he's capable of that,” Boone said. “It's a special arm. Sometimes he has inconsistency where he struggles a little bit, but today, when he's on point like that, he's very tough to deal with. It's a very encouraging outing for him. These are important outings down the stretch.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

Early exit

Boone and hitting coach Marcus Thames were ejected after the first inning, with Boone tossed by third-base umpire Joe West and Thames thumbed by home-plate umpire Jeremie Rehak. One night after West denied Brett Gardner a ninth-inning walk on a contested strike, the Yankees were irked by a couple of close pitches to Stanton that were ruled to be strikes. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

It was Boone’s fifth ejection of the season and his ninth as a manager. Bench coach Josh Bard took over the lineup card. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

I was pretty animated, pretty upset with a couple of the calls with G, and I let him know,” Boone said. “Joe came down the line. I was pretty upset, whether it was warranted or not, the bottom line was I got tossed there. The guys did a really nice job.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-first-hr-since-returning-from-il

Meanwhile Toronto had their first setback in the series.

- Blue Jays rookie T.J. Zeuch started Saturday’s game against the Yankees in uncharacteristic fashion, allowing a leadoff single and then striking out the side. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

Zeuch didn’t stop there, either, striking out Gio Urshela to lead off the top of the second inning, too. Zeuch finished his afternoon with six strikeouts over four innings of two-run ball, and while there was some very loud contact in his final frame, those strikeouts were an encouraging sign to take from the 7-2 loss for a pitcher who so rarely relies on them. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

Zeuch made 13 starts with Triple-A Buffalo after the start of his season was delayed by a right lat strain. With the Bisons, Zeuch struck out just 39 batters over 78 innings, good for a 4.5 strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate. That was closer to the norm in the 80s, but in a modern game where home runs and strikeouts rule the day, it makes Zeuch an interesting fit. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

On Saturday, he fit right in. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

“You know what was music to my ears?” said manager Charlie Montoyo. “I asked [Luke] Maile how T.J. was, the first time he catches him, and he said, ‘Man, his ball’s got good sink and his ball’s got good movement.’ That was music to my ears.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

Much like Jacob Waguespack, who started the series opener on Friday, Zeuch was aggressive, particularly when it came to pitching inside. The Yankees made the right adjustments the second time through the order, though, which led to a pair of loud doubles and an RBI single in the fourth inning. That capped Zeuch’s day at 70 pitches and kept him from facing an intimidating Yanks lineup for a third time.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

That aggressive approach was the result of a conversation that Zeuch had with Clay Buchholz, who has quietly become an influential veteran to many of the Blue Jays’ young starters. Buchholz helped Sunday’s starter, Trent Thornton, discover a new grip to use on his big curveball. With Zeuch, Buchholz has helped him with game-planning against a specific type of lineup. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

“He said that their right-handed hitters, especially, like to get their arms extended and push the ball the other way,” Zeuch said, “especially playing here with the short porch in right field, to kind of abuse that. The plan for today was to get in on their hands and not let them take advantage of the short porch.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

Zeuch tried to let his pitches live naturally inside that strategy and not force the issue chasing strikeouts. His fastball, which averaged 92.6 mph, according to Statcast, lived on the inside edge against right-handed hitters, and aside from a couple that caught the heart of the plate, was an effective offering. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

“Luke did an unbelievable job behind the plate and setting them up to make it a little easier on me,” Zeuch said. “Overall, it’s just executing pitches that really leads to strikeouts, not going for strikeouts.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

Toronto’s offense was quiet against Canadian lefty James Paxton. The lineup combined for just six hits and didn’t work a walk all game long, with an RBI single from Jonathan Davis and an RBI double from Teoscar Hernandez responsible for the runs. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/t-j-zeuch-strikes-out-6-in-4-innings-in-blue-jays-loss

New York and Toronto will finish up their series in the Bronx on Sunday with Luis Severino making his second start of the season for New York.