American League Game Summary - Toronto at New York
(Monday, July 16th)
Final Score: New York 6, Toronto 3
Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees had scored three-or-more
runs in 39 consecutive games coming in, and that impressive stretch appeared
in jeopardy Monday.
But that all changed with one mammoth swing of the bat.
Raul Ibanez smacked a go-ahead, no-doubt grand slam in the bottom of the
eighth inning, lifting the New York Yankees to a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue
Jays in the opener of a three-game set.
On the day that Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak came to an end 71 years
ago, Robinson Cano extended his career-high hitting streak to 19 games with
two hits, an RBI and a run scored.
Russell Martin clubbed a solo homer for the Yankees, who have tallied 43
round-trippers over their past 22 contests. They've won seven of their last
nine games.
David Robertson (1-3) picked up the win following a scoreless eighth and
Rafael Soriano notched his 23rd save of the year after picking up the final
two outs in the ninth.
Three-time All-Star Jose Bautista left the game in the eighth inning with an
apparent left wrist injury. It occurred as he belted a long foul ball to left.
He went down immediately and writhed in pain before being replaced by Ben
Francisco.
"It's a big blow, there's no doubt," Toronto manager John Farrell said of the
injury. "Until we have an idea of how long this will be, we won't know that
until tomorrow."
With the game tied 2-2 entering the bottom of the eighth, Alex Rodriguez
slapped a one-out single off Aaron Loup (0-1) to left and advanced to second
on a passed ball. Cano reached on an infield single, prompting Toronto manager
John Farrell to bring in Jason Frasor, who hit Mark Teixeira with a pitch to
load the bases. Nick Swisher struck out looking to bring up Ibanez.
The quintessential offseason pickup who has filled in admirably for an injured
Brett Gardner in left field, worked a 3-1 count before pulverizing a fastball
on the inner half into the second deck in right, giving the Yankees a 6-2
advantage.
"We've always liked him as a hitter," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's
come up with some huge hits for us."
J.P. Arencibia registered an RBI single in the ninth, but with runners on the
corners with two outs, Colby Rasmus struck out looking to end the game.
Earlier, Martin's solo shot to right opened the scoring in the second inning
and the Yanks tacked on another in the third when Rodriguez and Cano
smacked back-to-back doubles, giving the home team a 2-0 edge.
The Jays got a run back in the fourth when Adam Lind belted a solo blast into
the seats in right and tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth as Edwin Encarnacion
drove a double off the base of the wall in left-center center, plating
Bautista, who reached with a one-out walk.
Game Notes
With a 3-1 count this year, Ibanez is hitting .421 (8-for-19) with three
homers and 12 RBI...Cano is batting .413 (31-for-75) with six long balls, six
doubles and 20 RBI during his hitting streak...Yankees starter Phil Hughes
surrendered two runs on four hits and three walks in a seven-inning start for
New York, while Henderson Alvarez lasted six frames and allowed two runs on
five hits and four walks for Toronto...The Yankees have hit an MLB-leading six
grand slams this year.
07/17 00:31:16 ET
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