Blue Jays at Yankees
The New York Yankees look to set a major-league record by belting a homer in a 28th consecutive game on Tuesday, when they continue their three-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Aaron Hicks' three-run shot in the fifth inning of Monday's 10-8 victory allowed the Yankees to match the 2002 Texas Rangers for the longest such streak in MLB history.
Giancarlo Stanton added a three-run homer to cap a seven-run sixth inning and DJ LeMahieu followed up his three-hit performance on Sunday with four singles in the series opener to send New York to its ninth win in 10 contests. The 30-year-old LeMahieu has recorded three homers, 10 RBIs and 13 runs during his 10-game hitting streak and is 11-for-18 with a blast and six RBIs against the Blue Jays this season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit an RBI double and scored a run in the first inning to stake Toronto to an early 2-0 lead on Monday and improved to 6-for-17 with a homer, five RBIs and four runs versus the Yankees. Randal Grichuk matched Guerrero with three hits in the series opener, improving to 8-for-17 with three blasts, four RBIs and six runs against New York this season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Clayton Richard (0-3, 7.46 ERA) vs. TBD
Richard has answered three promising starts with a trio of troublesome ones, as the 35-year-old has allowed 16 runs and 20 hits over 12 2/3 innings during the latter stretch. Richard surrendered a homer in his fifth straight start and issued multiple walks for the sixth consecutive outing in a no-decision on Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels. Richard, who yielded two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus New York on June 4, has struggled against Stanton (4-for-8, home run) in his career.
Reliever Chad Green (1-2, 6.75 ERA) reportedly was the leading candidate to work in the opener's role after surrendering just one hit over two scoreless innings in each of his last three trips to the mound. But the 28-year-old, who has served as an opener on six occasions, was called upon in the series opener against Toronto and allowed two hits while recording two outs - both via strikeout. The Yankees likely will not announce a starter until Tuesday afternoon.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto SS Freddy Galvis, who belted a grand slam in the series opener, has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games.
2. Yankees C Gary Sanchez has launched eight home runs over the team's last 27 contests.
3. The Blue Jays have scored at least five runs in eight of their last nine games.