Jays Win 7-0: Quick Recap

Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Hard to find anything to piss and moan about that one, as the Blue Jays eventually took it to the New York Yankees, posting a 7-0 scoreline that belies the tense affair of the first six innings or more.

It was just 2-0 for the Jays in the top of the seventh when Jason Grilli made his Jays debut with two on and two out. He immediately threw a pick-off attempt at second base into centre field — bringing my “this will end in tears” prediction, which you can hear on this week’s Birds All Day podcast, dangerously close to fruition — but, in the most veteran-ly way possible, got Carlos Beltran to fly out to Kevin Pillar to end the threat. And with New York’s non-good relievers coming into the game after that point, that was as close to avoiding the sweep that the Yankees would get.

Some quick thoughts…

– Grilli was relieving another exceptional Aaron Sanchez performance (and/or terrible Yankees hitters’ performance). Seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 6.2 innings? He’s been everything we’ve wanted Marcus Stroman to be! *COUGH* Here’s something, though: with four months to go in the season, Sanchez is now within 20 innings of his big league total from 2015. *GULP*

It’s not too big an issue yet, though. Sanchez pitched an additional 9.2 innings in rehab starts last year, and he’s still 51 innings short of his career high for a season (133.1), set in 2014.

– Darwin Barney continues to be scorching hot. Prepare your hilarious Goins-Reyes style arguments that Tulo shouldn’t get his job back once healthy accordingly! (Maybe steer clear of any involved “streetball,” eh Jerry?)

– It still kinda feels like 2015. And with Boston possibly about to wind up on the losing end of one in Baltimore (though nobody should say for sure until the final out — it’s been wild), the Jays might wake up tomorrow just four games out with a three game series against the division leaders upcoming. Nobody’s run away with this division just yet. (Nor will they have if the Jays hit a speed bump at Fenway, either).

– The Jays crossed the 1,000,000 fan mark tonight, in what was their 28th of 81 home games. For context: they only drew 1,495,482 to Rogers Centre over the entirety of 2010.

– Lastly, picture of the folks in the press box as the legendary Bob Elliott serves his final night on the beat. I wrote some words about Bob in last night’s recap. Won’t be the same without him.