Like a predator pouncing on its prey in trouble, the Toronto Blue Jays gave the Yankees, who are going through the worst of their season, no chance, beating them 9-2 to a four-game streak in New York on Thursday to start.
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This is the 13th time the Bronx Bombardiers have lowered the flag in their last 17 games.
Kicking off this high-level series between two contenders in the American East Division, Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (9-5) poked fun at the opposing batsmen and got nine of them to bite the dust. He was eventually retired after allowing just two runs, only one of which was earned, on six hits and a walk.
At bat, the Jays gave themselves a serious option for the win with a five-run push in the second inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. capped it off with a powerful three-run homer.
The visitors took the coffin of crowd favorites in the seventh round, adding three points to the board, two from Teoscar Hernandez (doubles) and one from Alejandro Kirk (sacrificial ball), who also scored his point in the fifth inning.
George Springer also had a lot of fun at the plate for Canada’s only major league team. Used as the designated batsman, he had five hits in as many tries, allowing him to score a run en route and complete the round twice.
The Blue Jays will look to extend their winning streak to three in Friday’s second game of the series. Kevin Gausman (8-9) is expected to be manager John Schneider’s right-hand man on the mound for the Blue Jays, while Jameson Taillon (11-3) is expected to be his rival.