Bullpen Blues in Bronx

The Bluejays snapped a five game skid in the Bronx by edging the New York Yankees 6-1 in an 11 inning pitcher’s duel yesterday afternoon. A.J. Burnett was back on track for New York, delivering 6 2/3 scoreless innings before he left with a one run lead. Toronto lefty, Brett Cecil gave up one run on four hits through six frames. Both hurlers turned the tight contest over to their bullpens, with contrasting results. The Bombers’ bullpen imploded, while the Bluejays were brilliant in relief of their starter.
Aaron Hill connected on a ground ball single off New York’s Joba Chamberlain in the eighth inning to tie the game at 1-1. The two out RBI shot skidded past a diving Rodriguez at third base. Rodriguez wasn’t the problem for the Yankees yesterday, however. He was the only Bomber to tally an RBI, and one of four batters to record a hit. The third baseman’s sacrifice fly in the first inning gave the home team a 1-0 lead. The lack of offense was the theme the rest of the game. The Yankees didn’t manage a hit after the seventh inning. Relievers Shawn Camp, Scott Downs, Jason Frasor and Kevin Gregg combined to allow only one hit and no walks over the final five frames. The Yankees stranded 14 base runners and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
The Yankees’ bullpen continued to blow-up after Chamberlain gave up the thin edge in the eighth. Dave Robertson was tagged with the loss after giving up consecutive singles in the 11th. An intentional free pass was issued to Toronto’s Fred Lewis after the runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jarrett Hoffpauir. Alex Gonzalez followed Lewis by lacing a single to left field to plate the go-ahead run. Chan Ho Park relieved Robertson and struck out Jose Bautista for the second out of the inning. Veteran outfielder, Vernon Wells, worked a full count walk to send another Bluejay runner home and load the bases. DeWayne Wise pounded a triple off Park to clear the bases for a 6-1 Jays’ lead. That wasn’t quite the last of the dysfunctional Yankees bullpen, however. Park hit Hill with a pitch before finally securing the third out on Overbay’s grounder to first baseman, Mark Teixeria. Gregg tossed a one-two-three bottom of the 11th inning to seal the deal for visiting Toronto. Frasor picked up the win, his third of the season for Cito Gaston’s Jays. Gaston was ejected arguing with umpire, Mark Wegner. The teams return to Yankee Stadium for a 1:05 start time for the second game of the three game set. The Bombers are looking for their lineup to light up as Andy Pettitte takes the hill vying for his tenth victory.

Parting Points: Musician of the day---Jack Johnson