The Yankees fell to the Blue Jays 4-3 on Friday night at Yankee Stadium. >> Box Score
Five takeaways from Friday's game...
1) J.A. Happ had another solid outing for the Yankees. While his final line won't blow anyone away -- 5.1 innings, two earned runs, four strikeouts and no walks -- it was another step in the right direction for the lefty who struggled for the most of the season. Happ has pitched to a 3.47 ERA in his last seven starts, and he hasn't given up more than three earned runs in a start since August 21.
2) Aaron Judge was back in the lineup for the Yankees after sitting out of Thursday's game due to shoulder pain. The right fielder made his presence felt, blasting a solo home run to left field in the fourth inning, tying the game at 1-1. Judge became the fifth Yankee with at least 25 home runs this season, tying the team record, set in 2009 and 2018.
3) After the Blue Jays took the lead on a Danny Jansen home run, the Yankees answered right back in the bottom of the fifth, as Tyler Wade demolished a two-run home run to right, putting the Yankees back on top 3-2.
4) The Yankees' bullpen could not hold the one-run lead, however. In the top of the seventh, Tommy Kahnle allowed a one-out walk to Teoscar Hernandez, and the next batter, Justin Smoak, crushed his 22nd home run of the year to put the Jays back on top 4-3.
5) Trailing by one run in the bottom of the eighth, pinch-hitter Cameron Maybin singled off of Derek Law to put the leadoff runner on. Next up, DJ LeMahieu went down swinging on a 3-2 pitch, and Maybin was caught stealing at second for a strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play. Judge then doubled, which otherwise would have scored the tying run for the Bombers. The Yankees didn't score in the inning.
Highlights
Look out, left field. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/AZXyQ2kuw6
- New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 21, 2019
Wade-ing for Tonight. pic.twitter.com/ulZDpfykpl
- New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 21, 2019
What's next
The Yankees continue their series with the Blue Jays on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. RHP T.J. Zeuch (1-0, 4.61 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Blue Jays, while LHP James Paxton (14-6, 3.88 ERA) goes for the Yankees.