Toronto took the 2nd game of this 3 games series on Wednesday with a 5-2 victory in Yankee Stadium. Toronto hitters put together 12 hits and the pitchers had themselves a very impressive outing as well. The game showcased a couple of all-star caliber pitchers with A. J. Burnett facing Mike Mussina. The win brings the Blue Jays season record to 1-1.
Vernon Wells had a really good game for Toronto going 3-for-4 with a homer off Mussina, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. He played a big role in getting the Blue Jay line-up going and stunning the Yankee pitchers. Alex Rios also had a nice game hitting 2-of-3 with 2 RBI and a run scored. There were also a few extra base hits delivered in the game getting a double from Barajas and a triple from Overbay. This was exactly the type of offensive output manager John Gibbons has been looking for.
The pitching staff carried their share of the load in this one also. A.J. Burnett got the start for the Jays working 6 innings with 5 hits, 2 runs (all earner), and he struck out 3. Reliever Brian Tallet came in for the 7th and 8th innings giving up no hits and striking out 3. Jeremy Accardo came in to close out the game and he did just that earning his 1st save of this young season. Mike Mussina was given the start for the Yanks and didn’t have as good a game as Burnett. Mussina went 5.2 innings giving up 8 Toronto hits, 4 runs (3 earned), and he walked 2. Not the kind of game they were looking for from their veteran righty.
This was an overall good team win with both the offense and defense getting the job done. These will be the type of games the Jays are going to need to play if they plan on competing in the tough AL East.
Next Up: The Jays will play the final game of the series in Yankee stadium at 7:05. Look for Dustin McGowan and Yankee righty Phil Hughes to get the starts for their clubs.
