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Tuesday night the Toronto Blue Jays gave up a game-tying home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the bottom of the sixth at Yankee Stadium. Aaron Judge then hit a three-run bomb of his own to give the Yankees a 6-5 walk-off win. What occurred in the vicinity of both home runs more overshadowed the victory than highlight.
In 2021, every team in the AL East finished with over 90 wins, with the exception of the Baltimore Orioles, who lost 110. The Jays finished a game behind the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card.
We all know that Vlad Guerrero Jr. is far and away the most explosive power hitter in baseball. We are also aware that Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio are the sons of former MLB greats, four-time All Star Dante Bichette and Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. Bichette and Guerrero are both under 25 and are cornerstones of the franchise.
Unfortunately, Toronto is learning first hand of just how the scales tip in favor of pinstripes in the Bronx.
Reliever Yimi Garcia hit Yankee third baseman Josh Donaldson in the upper part of the arm with his second pitch after Stanton’s blast. Replay clearly showed Garcia had a fastball get away from him, much to the chagrin of the 41,552 in attendance. Rather than issuing warnings to both dugouts, home plate umpire Lance Barrett, conferred with crew chief Alfonso Marques, who was at first base. Marques then proceeded to pour gasoline on a flame that honestly did not exist.
Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo ran immediately to the dugout to get in Barrett’s face to question why his pitcher got the hook so abruptly. After Bichette was brushed back an inning later by Yankee reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, Marquez proceeded to give Montoyo and pitching coach Pete Walker the boot after both began yelling that Loaisiga was allowed to remain in the game.
Donaldson calmly walked to first after being hit, giving no gesture that the pitch was intentional. According to Marques, Donaldson exchanged words with Blue Jay catcher Tyler Heineman earlier in the game. Despite spending a few years in the Blue Jay organization, Donaldson and Heineman had never crossed paths before last night.
Toronto scored two in the eighth, before Judge crushed the winner a short time later. Whereas Stanton’s homer would not have left any other ballpark in the league, Judge left zero doubt, hitting the first walk-off of his already stellar career.
Already sporting a 3-1 record against Toronto going in, this was clearly the Yankees benefitting from an umpiring crew not ready for a stage as bright as New York. With Joe West having retired and Angel Hernandez somehow still having a job, Marques appears to be tossing his hat into consideration for the heir-apparent of cluelessness.
Marques saying that Garcia’s pitch was intentional and a warning was not warranted prior to the ejection might be the largest load of crap to come from MLB umpiring in this young season…including Angel Hernandez.
New York swept the three-game series with a matinee win Wednesday afternoon. This marked three straight series the Blue Jays have lost, losing ground early in a division they are expected to contend for throughout the season.
We know that all sports have certain predicaments where a player can be ejected without some form of warning. If Garcia’s pitch had been up around Donaldson’s shoulders or head, then absolutely a quick hook is acceptable. However, this was the second pitch of an at bat in a tie game. Garcia had no real way of knowing what was said between Donaldson and Heineman, instead trying to compose himself for another threat in the middle part of the Yankee lineup.
-JC24
Unfortunately, Toronto is learning first hand of just how the scales tip in favor of pinstripes in the Bronx.
Reliever Yimi Garcia hit Yankee third baseman Josh Donaldson in the upper part of the arm with his second pitch after Stanton’s blast. Replay clearly showed Garcia had a fastball get away from him, much to the chagrin of the 41,552 in attendance. Rather than issuing warnings to both dugouts, home plate umpire Lance Barrett, conferred with crew chief Alfonso Marques, who was at first base. Marques then proceeded to pour gasoline on a flame that honestly did not exist.
Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo ran immediately to the dugout to get in Barrett’s face to question why his pitcher got the hook so abruptly. After Bichette was brushed back an inning later by Yankee reliever Jonathan Loaisiga, Marquez proceeded to give Montoyo and pitching coach Pete Walker the boot after both began yelling that Loaisiga was allowed to remain in the game.
Donaldson calmly walked to first after being hit, giving no gesture that the pitch was intentional. According to Marques, Donaldson exchanged words with Blue Jay catcher Tyler Heineman earlier in the game. Despite spending a few years in the Blue Jay organization, Donaldson and Heineman had never crossed paths before last night.
Toronto scored two in the eighth, before Judge crushed the winner a short time later. Whereas Stanton’s homer would not have left any other ballpark in the league, Judge left zero doubt, hitting the first walk-off of his already stellar career.
Already sporting a 3-1 record against Toronto going in, this was clearly the Yankees benefitting from an umpiring crew not ready for a stage as bright as New York. With Joe West having retired and Angel Hernandez somehow still having a job, Marques appears to be tossing his hat into consideration for the heir-apparent of cluelessness.
Marques saying that Garcia’s pitch was intentional and a warning was not warranted prior to the ejection might be the largest load of crap to come from MLB umpiring in this young season…including Angel Hernandez.
New York swept the three-game series with a matinee win Wednesday afternoon. This marked three straight series the Blue Jays have lost, losing ground early in a division they are expected to contend for throughout the season.
We know that all sports have certain predicaments where a player can be ejected without some form of warning. If Garcia’s pitch had been up around Donaldson’s shoulders or head, then absolutely a quick hook is acceptable. However, this was the second pitch of an at bat in a tie game. Garcia had no real way of knowing what was said between Donaldson and Heineman, instead trying to compose himself for another threat in the middle part of the Yankee lineup.
-JC24