Blue Jays Series Preview: 3 Keys Versus the Yankees

Bautista got the Blue Jays on the board with a two-RBI double in the third and while Tanaka lasted only five innings, that was the extent of the offence against New York's ace.

The righthander pitched far better Wednesday night but received little backing from the Yankees' offense in a 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays in front of 27,938 at Rogers Centre.

"(Johnny) Barbato, (Chasen) Shreve, Dellin (Betances) and (Andrew) Miller, outstanding job tonight", Girardi said.

The Yankees were still in the game in the eighth after Mark Teixeira brought them within a run with his third home run of the season.

"We are excited to extend our PDC but more importantly our relationship with the Bisons". That's now two losses in four appearances and a 10.13 ERA for Cecil, who was such an integral part of Toronto's success down the stretch last season. "I think we believe that we have a great team offensively".

The teams have split the first two games of a three-game set and the rubber match will be played Thursday. He has reached base multiple times in six of the eight games.

Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda (1-1) allowed five hits, three walks and three runs (two earned) while striking out six in six innings. I was anxious more how he got hit, " Girardi said of the news. Pineda has traditionally avoided issuing too many free passes, but uncharacteristically walked three batters in six innings on Wednesday.

"He had a hard time funding a rhythm early on", Girardi said.

The New York Yankees had a 0.84 bullpen ERA coming into Wednesday's game, but Ivan Nova let up four earned runs to help drive that ERA to 2.34.

"I was able to get ahead of hitters", he said, "I was happy with my work".

Blue Jays third. Pillar was hit by a pitch.

Both starters were working on six days' rest.

The Yankees did receive some good news on McCann's big toe and that could mean his return in Thursday night's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays. It scored Martin, who had walked with one out. Didi Gregorius, with one out in the fifth, collected just the second hit Yankees hit on the night to that point, lining a double to left-center. Brett Cecil relieved Sanchez and immediately found himself in a jam, allowing a single to Chase Headley and a walk to Castro. Headley walked. On Aa.Sanchez's error on a pickoff attempt, B.McCann to third, Headley to second.

The Blue Jays (4-5) opened the scoring in the second when Russell Martin walked and scored on a Goins double. According to the "Pat Venditte Rule", an ambidextrous pitcher must declare which arm he'll use for pitching before facing a switch-hitter, who can then decide which side of the plate he'll bat from. RHP Arnold Leon was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.

Sanchez settled down in the third inning, getting the top of the order on a groundout and two strikeouts.

Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits an RBI double in the second inning during Major League Baseball game action against the New York Yankees on April 13, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Brian McCann took a foul ball off of said foot during last night's contest, and was eventually replaced by backup Austin Romine to finish off the night.