Blue Jays Slap Sluggish Yankees on Opening Day

BLUE JAYS 6                                                  Yankees 1 


This was not the way the Yankees hoped their new season would open. In a year where the Yankees have low expectations, a good start to the new season would have been imperative for the Bronx Bombers, instead they were flat from the word go, and it could be felt from the dugout all the way to the last section of the stands, with the Yanks dropping a 6-1 decision to Toronto. 

Maybe it was surreal feel of emptiness that came from a quiet crowd in the first Yankees game in 18 years without Derek Jeter? Maybe it was the fact that the Yankees couldn't overcome a Chase Headley error in third? Maybe it was a combination of everything? Because there was a sense of loss all afternoon in the Bronx -- and the Yankees played like it.

The Yankees offense was sluggish all afternoon, with Toronto's Drew Hutchinson no-hitting the Bombers through three and two-thirds. Hutchinson who was 2-5 vs. New York last year, dominated them in the opener. While he didn't have great stuff, the Yankees were so slow at the plate, he didn't need to be. He held the Yankees to three hits and a run over six innings, by blanking Jacoby Ellsbury, Didi Gregorius, Mark Teixeira and Chase Headley. 

Ironically Alex Rodriguez, who received a mix of cheers and boos during player introductions, was on base the most of any Yankee in the opener with a walk and a single. 

The game fell apart for the Yankees in the top of the third inning. A single by Kevin Pillar and a walk to Devon Travis was followed by an error by Headley at third base on an attempted bunt by ex-Met, Jose Reyes, allowed Pillar to come into score, giving Toronto a 1-0 lead. Ex-Yankee Russell Martin hurt his old team with a two-run single to right to make it 3-0. Finally, Edwin Encarnacion ripped a two run blast to left, pushing the Jays ahead 5-0. 

Mashairo Tanaka was pulled after four innings, allowing four earned runs, with two walks and six strikeouts. He's 0-1. 

The Yankees (0-1) will turn to Michael Pineda on Wednesday night in Game 2 of the series. 



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