Winning is easy when your starting pitcher throws 6 shutout innings, allowing only 3 hits and no walks, while striking out 7. James Paxton did that vs Toronto at the Stadium in this 80-degree September afternoon and the Yankees cruised for the 7-2 win, Paxton going to 15-6 3.73. He won his 10th straight start — the longest winning streak since Justin Verlander‘s 12 straight in 2011 and Ron Guidry‘s 11 straight in 1979. Paxton’s ERA over that streak is 2.25.
1-2-3 Inning to end the SIXTH.
James Paxton DEALING in the BRONX!#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/5U99oARAqJ
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 21, 2019
The Offense
Toronto actually jumped on top in this game on an unearned run in the 3rd but then Giancarlo Stanton tied it by doubling in Aaron Judge in the bottom of the 4th against Toronto starter T.J. Zeuch, followed by a Mike Ford single to put the Yanks ahead 2-1.
The Yanks put the game away in the 6th off Toronto reliever Brock Stewart — started by a Mike Stanton monster homer to make it 3-1. That was followed by a Mike Ford double, Clint Frazier double (and RBI), Tyler Wade single, and Kyle Higashioka single for 2 more runs, a 6-1 lead, and the old ballgame.
GIANCARLO'S BACK! A MONSTER HOME RUN FOR STANTON!
420 foot BOMB. 3-1 Yankees.
🔥🔥🔥🔥#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/G3MwAdiOMY
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 21, 2019
Jonathan Loaisiga pitched the 7th and 8th — allowing a run — but he is looking better and better as he gets more pitching experience in the big leagues. He struck out 5.
Number 57 pitched the 9th for the Yankees — striking out the side including a strikeout of the final batter on a nice curveball. Number 57 is Chad Green.
Etcetera
Houston (101-54) lost after the game so the Yanks (101-55) are now .5 behind — but essentially 1.5 behind because Houston owns the tiebreaker so Yanks must finish ahead of them to get best record and guaranteed home field throughout playoffs. There are 6 games left.
The Dodgers also lost so the Yankees regain their 1.5 lead over them for home-field advantage in case they meet in the World Series — essentially a 2.5 game lead since Yanks own the tiebreaker.
DJ LeMahieu got the day off; he is still at .328. Tim Anderson hit a game-winning homer, but went 1-4 so his average dropped a hair — it is at .335.
Tyler Wade (2 for 3) remains red hot as does Mike Ford (3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s). Both are in strong consideration to make the post-season roster now. Gio Urshela and Didi Gregorius were the only Yanks to go hitless in this game.
The Boxscore
https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=401077051
Be the first to comment