Happ Bests Sabathia, Leads Jays to Series Win, 3-1

     On an absolutely beautiful afternoon in the Bronx, the Yankees and Blue Jays squared off in the rubber game of the three-game series. New York sent the big left-hander C.C. Sabathia and his 3.41 ERA to the mound in hopes of building off of what was a quality outing in his hometown Oakland. Trono countered with a lefty of their own, J.A. Happ, whom they re-acquired this past winter. Ever since Happ was traded from Seattle to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline last season, he has pitched extremely well, with an impressive 2.64 ERA and a 12-4 record over that span. Both lefties were impressive all afternoon long, with Happ besting Sabathia in an extremely quick and well pitched game.
     The game started off in rather ominous fashion as the first five outs were recorded via the fly out, with the first two outs nearly leaving the ballpark against Sabathia. But, it was the sixth fly ball in a row that did clear the fence and into the Yankee bullpen, coming off the bat of Starlin Castro, giving the Yankees a one run lead. Sabathia found himself in some trouble in the top of the third, where Devan Travis reached base with two outs on an error by the shortstop Gregorius. Jose Bautista then advanced Travis to third when he hit a single into centerfield. Josh Donaldson followed up by drawing a walk against Sabathia, loading the bases for the Blue Jays. On a 1-0 count, Edwin Encarnacion lined a hanging cutter into left field that scored both Travis and Bautista, pushing Toronto to a 2-1 lead. Because of the error, both runs were recorded as unearned for Sabathia.
     As previously referenced, both starters were absolutely phenomenal today. If Didi didn't make that error in the third inning, C. C. Would be pitching a shut out into the eighth inning. But, as it happened, the big man left with a final line of seven innings pitched, only allowing two hits, walking one and striking out seven. As for Happ, he cruised through seven innings of work, allowing only three hits, just the one earned run while walking three with five punch outs.
    After Delin Betances and Gavin Floyd worked scoreless eighth innings, Toronto would add an insurance run in the top of the ninth against the Yankee closer Aroldis Chapman. Even though it was not a safe situation, or even a lead for that matter, Chatman had not pitch since the last game in Oakland on Sunday and Girardi wanted to get some work in for the left-handed fireballer. And it would be three well-placed singles off of Chapman, with the final single off the bat of Travis, that scored Justin Smoak and extended the Blue Jays lead to 3-1. The Yankees were unable to score in the bottom of the ninth off to Roanoke closer Osuna, locking down the series victory for Toronto.
     The Yankees embark on yet another 10 game road trip tomorrow, beginning with their first game of three against Tampa Bay, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM ET.