The Yankees continued their offensive futility, losing this game 3-1 in Toronto. Playing in Toronto has been a house of horrors for the Yankees, and Gerrit Cole was the victim this time. It is sad how far this team has fallen offensively; they need their offensive stars back. It is not fair how much pressure they are putting on their pitchers to be perfect.
In this game, the Yankees were not only victimized by offensive futility, but they were victimized by a type of keystone cops defense that got star players hurt and cost them runs. George Springer hit a ground ball to third baseman Ryan McMahon. He stepped on third to get the force out, but was run into by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and they threw wildly to third base. Do you think the Yankees can withstand such defensive lapses?
Yankees Against Blue Jays Game Summary August 14
The Yankees were hoping to get off on the right foot in their three-game series in Toronto. However, more offensive ineptitude and a defensive lapse cost them in this first game, a three-to-one loss. Yankee starting pitcher Gerrit Cole pitched well, but found himself on the short side of this game. Here is how the game played out.
In the sixth inning, Trent Grisham hit a solo home run. The Yankees led 1-0. However, that lead was short-lived, as was the bottom of that inning; that crazy defensive play happened. George Springer grounded out to third base, but Ryan McMahon threw wildly to first base while trying to get a double play. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored, then left the game with an injury sustained colliding with Ryan McMahon.
The Blue Jays were not done. They scored a second run in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Alejandro Kirk doubled, and George Springer scored. It was 2-1 Blue Jays; they took the lead, and those two teamed up to hurt the Yankees again.
In the eighth inning, Kirk hit a solo home run. The Blue Jays took a 3-1 lead, and Toronto scored an important insurance run. Kirk may be roly-poly, but he can definitely hit, and he kills the Yankees. That was the final score of the game.
Who Should Bat Lead Off for the Yankees?
Trent Grisham led off this game for the Yankees, as he did last game. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has been criticized for continuing to bat Grisham in the leadoff spot. He has done that 61 times so far this season, to the tune of a .188 batting average. Yet in this game, he was two-for-four with a home run. After he had two home runs and a double two games ago, he is heating up.
There is some thought that the youngster George Lombard Jr. should bat lead-off. Maybe one day he will. However, him leading off right now would place undue pressure on the youngster. However, he was 0-for-3 in this game, and his batting average is down to .250. He has been outstanding this season, but the Yankees should coddle their superstar youngster.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Yankees lost this game 3-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays. Though Gerrit Cole pitched well for the team, the player of the game was actually that lead-off hitter, Trent Grisham. He was two-for-four in this game, with a home run. He was responsible for the Yankees’ only run, and in a team-wide offensive outage, he has been a bright spot. These two teams play the second game of their series on Saturday at 3:07 pm.
Conclusion
While the Yankees continue to get great pitching performances, they will continue to struggle to score runs while so much of their offensive production is on the injured list. A funny thing is happening to them with this combination of offensive futility and great pitching. They are playing close and low-scoring games.
