NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Entering Easter Sunday, the New York Yankees were hoping to finish the first series of the year with a win. Following an Opening Day loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Yankees evened the series on Saturday, winning 5-3. On Sunday, they hoped Domingo German would be strong in his first outing of the season. In fact, this was German’s first start since 2019 after a suspension cost him the 2020 season.
Unfortunately for the Yankees and German, his return to the mound was not as they hoped. To start the 2nd inning, he left a fastball up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who belted his first home run of the season. After a single from Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the Blue Jays went deep again. This time, outfielder Randal Grichuk fought off 3 pitches on a 1-2 count before belting a 2-run home run to left.
Those 3 runs were all the Blue Jays (2-1) needed as they claimed the series over the Yankees, winning 3-1. Grichuk was the top performer, going 1 for 3 with the homer, 2 RBI, a run scored, and a walk
Grichuk has been a menace to the Yankees through the first three games of the year. On Opening Day, he collected 2 hits, including an RBI double, to take the lead in the 10th. Even in the loss on Saturday, he had a hit and a run scored in three at-bats. Now, he has two game-winning RBIs over the Yankees in three games.
Blue Jays use a combined effort on the mound; King goes deep for the Yankees
For the Blue Jays, starter T.J. Zeuch was dominant in his 4 innings of work. He left the Yankees scoreless, giving up 3 hits and striking out 1. Early in the season, pitch counts are followed very strictly, so Zeuch was done after throwing 103 pitches.
He handed the ball off to Trent Thornton, who allowed the only Yankees’ run. A blooper off the bat on Clint Frazier dropped into right field, and Frazier turned it into a double. After tagging up on a fly-out, Frazier scored on a groundout to 2nd, the score 3-1.
The Blue Jays bullpen would shut the door from there. Reliever Ryan Borucki got credit for the win as the Yankees were held hitless from the 5th inning forward. Julian Merryweather completed his 2nd save of the year, retiring the Yankees in order in the 9th.
After the tough 2nd inning, German was in for a short day. The Yankees turned to their long reliever, Michael King, who performed exceptionally well. He pitched 6 innings in relief, holding the Blue Jays scoreless while striking out 3. He is the first Yankees’ pitcher to throw 6 scoreless innings in relief since 2015.
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Yankees vs. Orioles, Monday, April 5, Yankee Stadium, New York, NY
Blue Jays @ Rangers, Monday, April 5, Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
