Blue Jays hang on to capitalize on Estrada’s gem

Marco Estrada continued to show why he’s one of the most underrated starters in the American League, throwing 8 shutout innings of 3-hit ball and improving his record to 3-2.

The Blue Jays met with the Yankees for their third series of the season, sending Marco Estrada to the hill against Ivan Nova.

The Jays got to Nova early, scoring their first run in the game’s opening inning. Josh Donaldson hit a single up the middle with out one, and was brought around to score on an Edwin Encarnacion double to the left centre gap.

Ryan Goins, who started in place of the injured Troy Tulowitzki, doubled to lead off the third inning and made it 2-0 when on a RBI groundout from Encarnacion. The Jays continued to the damage in the third when Michael Saunders doubled to the gap to bring around Jose Bautista, who had walked earlier in the inning.

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In the 5th inning, Goins continued his solid night at the plate with a solo blast to left field, his third of the season. The middle infielder may have escaped a demotion to AAA with the injury to Tulowitzki, and had a great night at the plate in a step toward re-establishing his value to the club, also laying down an perfect bunt in the 7th.

Estrada continued to pitch extremely effectively, holding the Yankees at bay all evening. He finished with a line of 8 complete innings, with 3 hits allowed, 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.  The 32 year old escaped limited trouble early, with double plays in the 4th and 5th innings, and escaped another jam in the 8th.

After retiring Brett Gardner on a groundout to close the sixth inning, Estrada tied a Blue Jays franchise record in an obscure category. This start was the righty’s 7th straight start of 6.0 or more innings, allowing 5 or fewer hits.

Aaron Loup made his second appearance since returning from the DL and was unable to close out the ninth. After hitting Carlos Beltran on the heel, Brian McCann hit a two run shot to centre to close to gap to 4-2.

Drew Storen came on to face Mark Teixeira who greeted him with a double off the wall over Bautista’s head in right.

Additional Game Notes:

• The Canadian Baseball team that played in the 1984 Olympics was in attendance for tonight’s game. The catcher for that team was Rob Thomson, who is now the bench coach for the Yankees.
• Both teams wore special hats and jerseys in honour of Memorial Day in the United States.
• The Blue Jays are now 5-2 on the season against the Yankees.
• J.A. Happ (6-2, 3.20) faces off against C.C. Sabathia (3-3, 2.83) in a battle of veteran left-handers.
• Storen picked up his third save of the season.