In a game that featured seven home runs, walks were the biggest factor in determining the final score. The Toronto Blue Jays (81-60) drew five walks and were hit by a pitch once in the top of the 11th inning to score four runs and defeat the New York Yankees (77-63) 9-5 in Game 1 of a Saturday double-header.
New York's Bryan Mitchell walked Edwin Encarnacion and Dinoner Navarro and hit Chris Colabello in between to load the bases with nobody out in the top of the 11th. Following a strikeout, Chasen Shreve came in but provided no relief. Shreve immediately walked Russell Martin to force in pinch runner Dalton Pompey from third base. After another strikeout, Shreve then allowed a single to Ben Revere before walking Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista -- each with the bases still loaded.
By the time the inning ended, the Blue Jays scored four runs on one hit, five walks, and a hit batsman to take a 9-5 lead.
Lost in the shuffle were seven home runs, including four from the Blue Jays. Bautista hit two (34, 35), including his first opposite-field shot of the season. Revere (3) and Encarnacion (32) each went deep in the fifth to tie the game at 4-4.
The Yankees hit three home runs of their own. Brett Gardner (14) connected in the first, and Chase Headley (11) followed one inning later to give the Yankees an early 2-0 lead. Alex Rodriguez (31) found the short porch in right field to make the score 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth (video).
With his team down 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth, the Yankees' Brian McCann singled home Jacoby Ellsbury with the tying run. On the play, Gardner moved into third with the potential go-ahead run, and the Yankees then loaded the bases with one out. However, Roberto Osuna got out of the inning with the game still tied.
The Blue Jays lost shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the bottom of the third inning after he collided with center fielder Kevin Pillar while catching a popup (video). "Tulo" stayed on the ground for nearly two minutes before walking off under his own power but leaving the game immediately.
MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm says that initial X-rays on Tulowitzki's back and ribs were negative, and Tulo will undergo an MRI with the results released Sunday morning. Ryan Goins, who moved from second to shortstop afterward, is playing shortstop in Game 2.
Liam Hendricks (W: 5-0, 2.62 ERA) got the win with 1/3 of an inning of relief. Ryan Tepera (S: 1) came into the bottom of the 11th with two men on and the tying run on deck; he got three consecutive outs to close it out. Starter Marco Estrada pitched five innings, allowing four runs on six hits (three home runs) while walking one and striking out two.
Mitchell (L: 0-2, 5.47) was charged with three runs after walking two, hitting one, and striking out one. Michael Pineda started and lasted 5 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs on six hits (three home runs), two walks, and five strikeouts.
With the win, the Blue Jays extended their lead over the Yankees to 3.5 games in the A.L. East. Game 2 has Marcus Stroman making his season debut for Toronto and Ivan Nova (6-7, 4.50) pitching for New York.