The New York Yankees got their first win of the 2015 MLB Season thanks to a slightly lucky single from Chase Headley and overall a big 8th inning to rally back towards a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Headley hit a tiebreaking single in the 8th that deflected off of the wrist of Brett Cecil, the Blue Jays reliever. The Blue Jays’ bullpen pretty much brought the Yankees back into the game to pick up win number one of the season (lost the opener) after a solid start from R.A. Dickey, throwing for 6.1 innings, allowing four hits and one run, walking three and striking out four.
Michael Pineda has a solid debut, allowing six hits and two runs in his six innings, striking out six batters. The win when to Dellin Betances despite not doing very well in the 8th inning (one hit, one run, walked two). The save went to Andrew Miller, striking out one batter in the ninth. For the Blue Jays, things fell apart when Aaron Loup came on to throw.
It was a strong day for Jacoby Ellsbury with two hits, two runs and two more walks, getting on base every time he went out to bat. He first reached home plate after a sacrifice fly by Carlos Beltran to give the Yankees their first score of the game (2-1 at that point); he later picked up a run with the bases loaded and Brian McCann getting hit by a pitch.
Only 31,020 showed up for the game that kept going under chilly and windy conditions, making it extra difficult for everyone involved. The Blue Jays took the lead in the third after Devon Travis’ infield single helped Kevin Pillar reach home, followed by Russell Martin hitting a sacrifice fly to score Travis, giving the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead.
Jose Bautista scored in the 8th to give the Blue Jays a two-run lead they couldn’t hold on to after a bad throw by Brian McCann, but the bullpen the Blue Jays used to try and make it a 2-0 start to the season in New York blew the opportunity, beginning with a wild pitch by Cecil, followed by the HBP and the Headley single, scoring Brett Gardner.
The Yankees are 30-4 at home against the Blue Jays since since May 24, 2011 and get to wrap up the series by sending C.C. Sabathia to the mound, facing off against Daniel Norris.