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BASEBALL

Luis Severino Records First Win Of 2019 As New York Tops Toronto

Only making his second start of the season after returning from the injured list Luis Severino who is from the Dominican Republic again didn’t disappoint.

, Severino’s electric arsenal produced nine strikeouts over five scoreless innings on Sunday afternoon, concluding the Yankees’ regular-season home slate with an 8-3 victory over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-strikes-out-9-in-second-start-of-2019

Severino scattered three hits and hit a batter with an 0-2 offering in his 80-pitch effort, running his season tally to nine scoreless innings after having his debut delayed by injuries to his right shoulder and right lat. Severino is expected to join James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka and possibly J.A. Happ in the rotation for the American League Division Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-strikes-out-9-in-second-start-of-2019

With the win, the Yankees secured home-field advantage for the American League Division Series. They are continuing to battle the Astros for the AL’s best record, which would provide home-field advantage throughout the AL Championship Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-strikes-out-9-in-second-start-of-2019

As for the offense,

Aaron Judge hit his 26th homer and Brett Gardner cracked his career-high 27th in a four-run first inning against Toronto opener Wilmer Font. Gardner’s homer was a three-run blast. DJ LeMahieu added his 26th homer in the second inning, a two-run shot off Trent Thornton, who permitted four runs over five innings.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-strikes-out-9-in-second-start-of-2019

Meanwhile Toronto had a setback in the finale.

Blue Jays starter Trent Thornton was greeted with an uphill climb in Sunday’s 8-3 loss to the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, adding another wrinkle to a season that’s seen the 25-year-old succeed, struggle and adapt along the way. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

Thornton followed opener Wilmer Font in the second inning, but the Yankees had already jumped out to a 4-0 lead. The rookie right-hander allowed a pair of runs in both the second and fifth innings, ending his day with four allowed over five innings on five hits, striking out three. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

The line wasn’t perfect, but manager Charlie Montoyo was encouraged by some clear signs of growth in Thornton, particularly when it came to how he responded following a second-inning home run. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

“That’s good to see. He couldn’t do that at the beginning,” Montoyo said. “He’s growing. He’s growing up through the season. Now he knows that if he comes out and relaxes, he’s going to get out of trouble and he did today against a good lineup.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

Thornton was originally scheduled to come in for the start of the third inning, with the Blue Jays hoping to get at least a full two innings from Font, which he’s done in 14 of his 20 appearances since joining the club. Font couldn’t do it this time, which meant that Thornton needed to get ready quicker. This was an adjustment that he says he needs to make more efficiently next time, but it’s also one that’s understandably uncomfortable for a starting pitcher. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

It wasn’t the plan going into the season, but Thornton has been the one constant in Toronto’s 2019 rotation. With injuries to Matt Shoemaker, Ryan Borucki and the since-released Clayton Richard, plus the trades of Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez, Thornton holds a comfortable team lead in starts (29) and innings pitched (149 1/3) with one start likely remaining. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

I’m just starting to finally execute pitches a little bit better,” Thornton said. “I have a new changeup and a new curveball. The changeup was good today, the curveball not as good. I didn’t throw it quite as much. I’m learning how to pitch and how to set hitters up a little bit better.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

The results have been what you’d expect from a rookie with Thornton’s impressive raw talent. When he is on, he looks very sharp, with a hammering curveball that’s been effective and a fastball that averages 92.9 mph and was up to an average of 94.1 mph on Sunday, according to Statcast. There have been inconsistencies and ugly starts, but also stretches like his last seven outings entering play on Sunday, during which he’d posted a 3.03 ERA. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

The Blue Jays’ bats were quiet behind Thornton, with the exception of Billy McKinney. The lineup combined for 15 strikeouts after striking out 15 times in Saturday’s loss as well, but they still managed to wedge in another MLB rookie record along the way. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

McKinney’s 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the top of the seventh, gave the Blue Jays six rookies with 10 or more home runs in 2019, a new Major League record that was previously held by the 1958 Giants. McKinney joined Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Danny Jansen and Rowdy Tellez. In the ninth, McKinney launched his second home run of the day to right-centre field, giving him his first career multihomer game in the Majors.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/trent-thornton-shows-promise-in-outing-vs-yanks

New York has an off day on Monday before opening a quick two game series against Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field starting Tuesday night.