The Toronto Blue Jays fell 7-6 to the New York Yankees in a tense series opener at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, a rematch of last year's American League Division Series. Despite George Springer's milestone 1,500th career hit and a three-run homer by Ernie Clement, the Jays' bullpen collapsed in a four-run seventh inning.
Macko's Debut and Bullpen Struggles
The game marked the major league debut of left-hander Adam Macko, who entered in the sixth inning with two outs and a runner on first. He retired the first batter he faced on a groundout, a moment to cherish for the Canadian World Baseball Classic representative. Macko returned for the seventh and retired the first two batters before being replaced by Yariel Rodriguez to face Aaron Judge. Judge singled, and Cody Bellinger followed with a game-tying two-run homer. Rodriguez then surrendered a two-run shot to Jazz Chisholm Jr., turning a 6-4 lead into a 6-6 deficit. The Yankees added another run to make it 7-6, which stood as the final score after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to end the game.
Springer's Milestone and Power Display
George Springer led off the game with a single for his 1,500th career hit and later homered in the fifth inning, his third of the season and first since March 30. The Yankees outhomered the Jays 3-2, with Paul Goldschmidt, Bellinger, and Chisholm Jr. all going deep. Ben Rice continued his torrid start, raising his OPS to an MLB-leading 1.089 with a double.
Corbin's Wild Outing
Starter Patrick Corbin, a Syracuse native, had a rocky outing. He gave up a leadoff homer to Goldschmidt on the first pitch of the game. Despite loading the bases in the second, he escaped unscathed. The fourth inning proved wild and cruel, ending his night after 79 pitches with the game tied.
Weathers vs. Clement
Yankees starter Ryan Weathers, whose father David was drafted by the Jays in 1988, struck out the side in the third. After retiring 10 straight, he allowed back-to-back singles in the fourth. With two outs, Ernie Clement crushed an 0-2 pitch for a three-run homer, his third of the season, giving the Jays a 4-1 lead.
The series continues Tuesday with Dylan Cease (3-1, 2.41 ERA) facing Will Warren (5-1, 3.42 ERA).
