Defense Ends Yankees Win Streak

Mar 23, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman

(25) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With questions about the pitching staff along with the infield, the one that is most concerning to the Yankees is their ability to catch the baseball. Today, the two times the Yankees didn’t, cost them as their winning streak was snapped with a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The first time happened in the second inning as Eduardo Nunez‘s error allowed Edwin Encarnacion to reach. Singles by Adam Lind and Dioner Navarro plated Encarnacion.

Michael Pineda would then betray himself with his own defense in the fifth. Colby Rasmus and Brett Lawrie singled. Ryan Goins dropped a bunt down to sacrifice them, and Pineda would throw it away to let Rasmus score. Two batters later, Pineda’s wild pitch allowed Lawrie to score.

The Yankees would only be able to muster one run off of Blue Jays’ pitching and that came in the sixth inning courtesy of Mark Buehrle. Ichiro Suzuki led off with a ground-rule double. Brett Gardner would follow with a single to move Ichiro to third. Derek Jeter grounded into a double play, allowing Ichiro would score.

The Yankees tried to mount a rally in the ninth, but with two on, Russ Canzler flew out to the wall and Yangervis Solarte struck out to end the game.

After an off day tomorrow, the Yanks will face the Phillies at “The Boss” Tuesday night at 7:05. That game can be seen on YES and MLB Network.