Yanks look to even up series in Toronto

By:  Gary W. Marchese Jr.

Toronto, CA (June 5) – The New  York Yankees will take on the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon at Rogers Centre in Toronto.  The Jays defeated the Yankees 6-1 last night.  Andy Pettitte will be on the mound this afternoon against Rickey Romero.  Here are the lineups, news and notes for today’s game.

Yankees Lineup: Jeter (SS), Swisher (RF), Teixiera (1B), Rodriguez (3B), Cano (2B), Posada (DH), Thames (LF), Cervelli (C), Gardner (CF)

Jays Lineup: Lewis (LF), Hill (2B), Lind (DH), Wells (CF), Bautista (RF), Gonzalez (SS), Overbay (1B), Buck (C), Encarnacion (3B)

A.J. Burnett was roughed up a little bit last night, he and his manager felt he didn’t pitch that bad though. Burnett said it was just the three pitches he gave up home runs on.  Burnett had allowed four home runs in 11 starts this season and then allowed three in one game.  Robinson Cano hit streak is over at 17 games.  Cano was 0-4 with two strikeouts against Brett Cecil.  Cano said “It is just weird because we lost the game, not because I didn’t get a hit.  Just start a new one tomorrow.  Today is already over and just move on.”  It sounds like he has really matured and that has shown this season, he is around so many great veterans and I think they have worn off on him. 

Sergio Mitre who has basically taking over Alfredo Aceves role had another strong outing last night.  He was kind of an afterthought coming out of spring training but has been pitching valuable innings.  According to research by the Elias Sports Bureau the Yankees currently have baseball’s top active home runs leader (Alex Rodriguez-591) and top active hits leader(Derek Jeter-2,818).  It is the first time that one club has had both active leaders since the 1995 Cleveland Indians who had Eddie Murray and Dave Winfield on their roster.

The Yankees are 31-2 this season and 82-14 last season when holding their opponents to four or fewer runs.  They are just 3-19 when allowing five or more.  They were 21-45 last year when the opponent scored five or more.  Derek Jeter collected his 264th career hit against Toronto last night.  With the hit Jeter surpassed Robin Yount for most all-time of any player vs. the Blue Jays. 

Double A Trenton Thunder third baseman Brandon Laird was named the Easter League player of the month for May.  He batted 339 with six home runs, nine doubles, one triple and 33 RBI.  He also hit for the cycle and tied a franchise record with seven RBI in one game.  The Yankees enter Saturday’s game leading the majors with a 286 team batting average, 366 on base percentage and 308 runs scored.

Posted by gmarchesej on June 5, 2010. Filed under MLB News,News and Sports with Gary W. Marchese Jr.,Sports,US Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.