Recap: Yankees 3 Blue Jays 2; Sanchez Sharp as Offense Whiffs Again

The Blue Jays were hoping the return of their normal lineup with Josh Donaldson at third base and Chris Collabello at first base would result in a jump start to the offense on Tuesday night against the New York Yankees. However, the team was facing Masahiro Tanaka, who has dominated the Blue Jays in the past with a 2.23 ERA and an opponents batting average of just .202, and so it was easier said than done to score runs. The Jays had Tanaka on the ropes early, working his pitch count to 54 pitches by the end of the second inning. The elevated pitch count lead to runs being scored eventually, with two coming in the bottom of the third off of a two run double by Jose Bautista. But that is all the Jays would be able to do against the Yankees right hander. Even without his best stuff, he was able to hold the Jays to two runs through five innings and turn it over to the rested and talented Yankees bullpen to shutdown the rest of the game.

In his second start of 2016, Aaron Sanchez was able to keep the Yankees to two hits and one unearned run (contributed by his errant pickoff throw in the second) through five innings. In the sixth, with two out, Yankees catcher Brian McCann drilled a homerun to tie the game off of Sanchez. In the seventh, left-handed reliever Brett Cecil came in and continued his early season struggles, as he gave up a run scoring single to Jacoby Ellsbury to give the Yankees the lead they would not relinquish.

Top Play of the Game by WPA

In the top of the seventh, with Brett Cecil in the game to face the bottom of the order, he gave up a leadoff single to Chase Headley and then walked Starlin Castro on four pitches. The Yankees chose to play small ball and Didi Gregorius sacrifice bunted the runners ahead ninety feet. Cecil then faced Jacoby Ellsbury, who hit a soft single to left field, giving the Yankees the lead and increasing their chances to win by 12.2%. This would be the gaming winning hit as the Yankees won 3-2.

Bottom Play of the Game by WPA

In the bottom of the third, Kevin Pillar led off by being hit by a Tanaka slider that didn’t slide, which was followed by a Josh Donaldson single to right field. Jose Bautista proceeded to hit a double over the head of the centre fielder Ellsbury which decreased the Yankees chances to win by 14% and give the Jays their only lead in the game.

The Struggles of Brett Cecil

Brett Cecil has continued his all too familiar April struggles . In 2015, Cecil had a 5.14 ERA and 6.13 FIP in the month of April, to which he was removed from high leverage situations for a short time. His difficulties tonight presented themselves as a lack of curveball control, and the Yankees hitters took advantage of his wildness. Last week, when asked about early season struggles, he commented that he has to find his release point and mechanics. The problem with that is he is the only left-handed reliever in the bullpen, so the Blue Jays need him to find it sooner rather than later.

Sanchez Effective Again

Two starts, two beauties from Aaron Sanchez so far. He battled his control at times in the game, especially in the second when he walked two batters. He then made an ill advised pick off attempt that sailed into centre field, which eventually set up the first run of the game. Last year, that type of inning would have negatively impacted the rest of the game, but this season his confidence, offseason training or his rapport with Russell Martin is helping him make the necessary in game adjustments. If he keeps pitching this effectively, the wins will come.

Where Art Thou, Offense?

The Jays continued to struggle offensively in this game. If you’re a Blue Jays hitter and your name is not Bautista or Donaldson, then you are not producing. Tonight the team managed three hits and none after the fifth inning. The lack of hitting is not the concern as much as the high number of strikeouts (11 strikeouts tonight), a trend that must change quickly.

Up Next

On Wednesday the Jays will play game two of this three game series. Michael Pineda will be facing J.A. Happ, making his return to the Roger Centre in his second start of the season. Hopefully the bats will show up. First pitch will be at 7:07 pm EST.

Lead Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports