Generally when the Yankees only score one run and lose, the fans are upset with the offense and lack of runs, but anytime this bullpen has a lead in the eighth inning and comes up short it feels like a real missed opportunity. The Yankees had a late 1-0 lead in Toronto Monday as starter Chase Whitley did a remarkable job of keeping Blue Jays hitters off balance. Some fans (and even media) thought Whitley had done enough to at least start the eighth inning with his pitch count only at 90 (7 IP 6 H 7 K), but not letting him face the top of the order for a fourth time was probably the right call. Unfortunately for the Yankees, this situation called for a full measure and manager Joe Girardi went with a half measure, bringing in Chris Martin.
Martin retired Devon Travis to start the inning, but after back-to-back singles by Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista, Girardi brought in Dellin Betances. At this point, onlookers are scratching their heads a little bit because if you’re going to use Betances for more than three outs anyway, why not bring him in to start the inning instead of with the tying run already in scoring position and the go-ahead run already on base? I guess we’ll never really know the answer to this question and I suspect Andrew Miller’s apparent lack of availability played into the equation, but the main thing Girardi missed here is that it was the most dangerous part of the Blue Jays lineup coming up. Next time there are big hitters coming up, Girardi should avoid playing with fire and go right to Betances.
Top WPA Play: By the time Girardi brought in Betances, the Blue Jays’ win expectancy was already up to 40 percent. Then this happened (+.374).
The bloop double by Edwin Encarnacion tied the game 1-1 for the moment. After a pop out by Kevin Pillar, Russell Martin drove in a run with an infield single and another scored as the ball got away from Garrett Jones at first base. The way the Yankees offense was hitting Monday night, these runs surely would decide the game in the Toronto 3-1 victory. Brett Cecil made quick work of the Yankees in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning to end it.
Up Next: The Yankees and Blue Jays will square off again in Toronto with Michael Pineda (3-0, 3.73 ERA) and Marco Estrada (1-0, 0.84) taking the mound.
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