Hard defeat: the Toronto Blue Jays are further away from the New York Yankees and the top of the American League East Division.
• Read also: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame: Pedro Martinez shows respect for Montreal
• Read also: The Jays corrected by the Yankees
• Read also: A Quebecer recalled by the Blue Jays
The season is still too young to say it’s a waste of time, but a 4-0 loss against their rivals on Saturday afternoon at the Rogers Center leaves little hope for the Toronto team.
The Yankees, who lead major league baseball with a stunning 49-16 record, earned their ninth straight win, including their second in as many days against the Jays (37-28). Toronto will now try to avoid the affront of a home sweep on Sunday afternoon. Now 12 games behind the Yankees in the standings, the Blue Jays would rather have needed to pass the broom themselves.
During Saturday’s game, even young starter Alek Manoah (8-2) couldn’t do anything to stop the mighty Yankees. The visitors notably scored three points at his expense, at the start of the fourth inning. Aaron Hicks then hit a double to clear the paths, which were occupied by three teammates.
Sparkling this season, Manoah was finally kicked out of the game after five and a third innings, having allowed four runs, all earned. His average has been raised to 2.00 since the start of the campaign, which is nonetheless extraordinary.
Guerrero son down
For the Jays, the offense was limited to five hits. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was used as the hitter of choice, was notably shut out in four at bats. He was struck out twice.
The impressive Jameson Taillon (8-1) collected the win for the Yankees, his eighth of the season. In five and two-thirds innings, he made eight strikeouts.
For the Jays, the challenge no longer seems to be to catch up with the Yankees, but rather to maintain their position in the eternal race for the playoffs, ahead of the Cleveland Guardians, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox.
A Quebecer on the bench
For a second day in a row, Quebecer Otto Lopez, without seeing any action, was in uniform with the Jays to face the Yankees. However, he remained on the bench of substitutes.
In terms of injuries, the Blue Jays organization has let it be known that pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu had indeed undergone a Tommy John-type operation. The South Korean should thus be out for at least a year.
