TORONTO – The 2021 edition of the Toronto Blue Jays debuted a lot of new faces and some favourites from last season this past weekend. The COVID-19 situation has made the league revamp its entire schedule, but the preseason is now officially open as the Blue Jays took on the New York Yankees Sunday afternoon.
The Jays came out with a 6-4 win on 10 hits, and one error. T.J. Zeuch earned the win on the mound as they displayed some very encouraging results, especially from their new blood.
Among the veterans returning is trim and ready Vlad Guerriel who admits letting himself get out of shape last season and arrived at training camp this year lighter and faster. The same can be said about first baseman Rowdy Tellez who looks leaner this year as well.
The Jays took flight early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning thanks to a ground-rule double to right field by Rowdy Tellez bringing home Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien.
Jonathan Davis came home in the top of the second for a 3-0 Toronto lead. Davis singled to centre in the third inning scoring Guerrero and sending Tellez to second.
The Jays kept the ball rolling in their direction in the fourth inning when Guerrero singled to left to score Otto Lopez for a 5-0 lead.
The Yankees got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to a fielding error by Lopez and it was 5-1. Then the Yankees exploded with a 386 foot home run to right field to make it 5-3followed by another home run to the deep right field smacked by Mike Tauchman and it was now a 5-4 contest with the Yankees coming on.
It was another long-ball in the top of the seventh inning that new Jay, Logan Warmoth hammered for the Jays to put a little distance between them. Three Toronto putouts in the bottom of the inning salted the 6-4 Toronto win.
Looking ahead, Tuesday, Mar. 2nd, the Jays take on Phillie, Wednesday, the Yankees return. The pre-season will see most teams play daily until the regular season begins April 1, 2021 through October 3rd when the playoffs begin.
