Two games after the All-Star break, two poor starts by veteran New York Yankee pitchers who were much better than expected during the first half of the season. One night after Bartolo Colon lasted just two-thirds of an inning, Freddy Garcia (7-7) struggled in a 7-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, going five innings and giving up six runs -- five earned -- on seven hits while striking out five and walking four.
The first two games after break are a disturbing sign for the Yankees, who entered the season unsure of their starting pitching but have thus far gotten much more than they could have anticipated from Garcia and Colon. Garcia had five straight quality starts prior to Friday night.
"It just seemed like he was up a little bit with his offspeed stuff tonight," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We've been talking about situations and how to get people out, that's what you have to do."
Brandon Morrow worked 6 2/3 strong innings for Toronto, giving up only one run. Morrow (6-4) scattered four hits while fanning six and walking only a pair to win his fourth straight decision.
Yunel Escobar went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI, while Eric Thames smacked a pair of doubles. Edwin Encarnacion, who filled in for the injured Jose Bautista at third base, added an RBI double for the Blue Jays, who extended their winning streak to five games.
Eduardo Nunez knocked in the only Yankee run with a single. Nick Swisher added two hits for the Yankees.
Toronto took the lead for good in the fourth. Travis Snider laced a one-out double down the line in right and was chased home on Encarnacion's double to for a 2-1 advantage. The Jays added another run on an RBI single by Jose Molina for a 3-1 lead.
The Blue Jays broke the game open in the fifth, plating three runs. Thames led off the inning by ripping a double to center. Escobar and Adam Lind walked to load the bases with no outs. Aaron Hill grounded into a fielder's choice to score Thames, while Escobar advanced to third. Hill then stole second to give the Jays men on second and third with one out. Snider followed with a sacrifice fly to left to score Escobar for a 5-1 advantage. Toronto plated its sixth run of the game on an arrant throw by Yankees catcher Russell Martin on a double-steal by the Blue Jays, which allowed Hill to trot home.