Cito’s last game in Toronto guides the Blue Jays to an inspirational 8-run win (Part 2)
The New York Yankees have been on a downward slope, recently. With just 5 days left till the end of the season, the chance to attain the East division title seems to be edging away. They’re playoff seat has been confirmed but their unfortunate descent in the last week has seen them lose 5 of their 7 games. On Wednesday, the side came face to face with their division opponents, Toronto Blue Jays. The rivals were hosting the last game of the series in their home stadium, Rogers Centre. The Yanks did not have to worry too much about their hitters. But, the problem with their pitchers was a major concern for manager, Joe Girardi.
Allan James Burnett and Andy Pettitte have been hitting low form and their exclusion from the rotation meant Javier Vazquez was starting for the side. As for the Blue Jays, Cito Gaston was managing the team for the last time at home. With his retirement closing in, Toronto’s roster offered him a ceremony in honour of his contribution to the team.
The Yankees began their innings with their bats in hand on the plate. The New York travelling fans were hoping for the team to start the game off on a positive note but it was the upbeat Blue Birds who converted early in the game. The Jays started off in the bottom 1st with Travis Snider who made his mark on the game with an amazing knock. The man who was the only player to score on Tuesday started the match off with a stunning 400 feet home run, smashed towards the right side of the park.
The score line was 1 – 0 and the Toronto Blue Jays were leading the show. The Yankees however, were reeling and the fans in the stands were roaring behind their side. The game was opening up and the top 2nd brought the Yanks back on the batting plate. Cecil didn’t let them move and quelled the attack effectively. Toronto, on the other hand registered more runs in the bottom of the 2nd.
Aaron Hill and Adam Lind went out of the innings before John Buck came on to face Javier Vazquez. The strong hitter banged a decent 383 feet homer to the right centre and brought up the second run for the team. The inning was not over and there was still an opportunity to pile up more runs. John McDonald showed up to the batting bag and smashed a double to the left. The player later moved on to the third after Vazquez wild pitched a ball to Travis Snider.
The Blue Jays were 3 – 0 up, as the wind was blowing their way, given their lead in the game. Many saw this as a sign of a failure in Joe Girardi’s attempt at a concessionary pitching rotation. The tables were turning on the Yanks and there did not seem like a good response to come in the coming pitches as the game went into the top 4th. Brett Cecil was on the mark again and he made short work of the New York batters. The bottom 4th inning came and Javier put the visitors in a bad spot when he walked Aaron Hill to the first base.
Adam Lind came in to grind a single to the centre. That hit got Hill to the second and lifted the game to a whole new level. The supporters felt another run coming their way and when Buck came up to the strike zone, there was a sign for things to happen. Buck grounded into the fielder’s choice to the pitcher to get himself through to the first. However, in doing so, Lind was called out at second. McDonald was the next man to come in and he grounded into the fielder’s choice to shortstop to get Hill through for the 4thrun. The Jays had done it again and it seemed the Yankees were going down the abyss.
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