The Toronto Blue Jays executed another successful bullpen game at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night, defeating the New York Yankees 2-0 to split the series and finish their seven-game road trip with a 4-3 record. Manager John Schneider, pitching coach Pete Walker, and the decision-making team once again proved adept at designing a bullpen game in the Bronx, reminiscent of their ALDS clincher last year.
Braydon Fisher started the game, followed by rookie Adam Macko, rookie Spencer Miles, veteran Tyler Rogers, and Jeff Hoffman. The combination silenced the Yankees' bats, allowing just two runs over nine innings.
Miles Shines in Long Relief
Spencer Miles was the standout performer, covering 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. He threw 48 of his 63 pitches for strikes, allowing only two hits while striking out six. Despite his impressive outings, the Blue Jays remain cautious about converting him to a starter, citing the potential returns of Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber. However, Miles has now pitched 11 innings over his last three appearances in the fifth starter role, with 13 strikeouts and just two walks.
Adam Macko earned the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief, striking out two and allowing one run. Fisher, who started, was part of the seven-pitcher bullpen used in the ALDS clincher and remains a key arm.
Hoffman Seizes Save Opportunity
With closer Louis Varland unavailable after pitching in the previous two games, Jeff Hoffman stepped into the ninth inning for his first save chance since losing the role. He struck out two batters in a clean inning to secure his fourth save of the season.
Offensively, the Blue Jays scored both runs early. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walked, stole second, and scored on a Dalton Varsho double just over third base. George Springer, who had been struggling in May, added a solo home run in the seventh inning to make it 2-0.
Miles Auditioning for Bigger Role
The Blue Jays continue to downplay the idea of Miles as a rotation solution, but his performances make that stance increasingly difficult. The 25-year-old right-hander has exceeded expectations every time he takes the mound, especially since the team began relying on him for bulk innings in the fifth starter spot vacated by Cody Ponce's ACL tear. Manager John Schneider noted that the team hopes for returns from Scherzer or Bieber but acknowledged Miles' growing workload. The Blue Jays are mindful of his injury history, having undergone two major surgeries, but his consistency is forcing the issue.
