A-10-tion Must Be Paid

Not that long ago, the Yankees looked like they would have little chance at making the postseason, and the Toronto Blue Jays would win the American League Eastern Division. The fact that the Yankees could only gain a split of a 4-game series at Yankee Stadium against them seemed to fit that narrative.

Well, now, in the words of Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman, "Attention must be paid." As in a 10-game winning streak, that now includes the opener of a Yanks-Jays series at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Jordan Montgomery started for the Yankees, and went 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, no walks, with 5 strikeouts. He left with the game tied 2-2, thanks to a 2-run home run by Gleyber Torres, who has been hitting better lately.

The Yankee bullpen kept the game 2-2 going into the 9th. Giancarlo Stanton led off with a single. Tim LoCastro was sent in to pinch-run for him, and stole 2nd base. Josh Donaldson grounded out, and Aaron Hicks struck out. But Torres singled LoCastro home, and Chad Green shut the Jays down in the bottom of the 9th.

Yankees 3, Blue Jays 2. WP: Clay Holmes (2-0). SV: Green (1, which will help to keep Aroldis Chapman fresh for the rest of the series). LP: Yimi Garcia (0-2).

The Yankees now have a 10-game winning streak, and lead the Jays by 2 1/2 games in the AL East, 3 in the all-important loss column. This is not the sending of a message, but it is the beginning of the sending of a message. That message is: The road to winning the AL East goes through The Bronx, ya hosers.

The series continues tonight. Jameson Taillon starts for the Bronx Bombers, Alek Manoah for those pesky Blue Jays.