Ichiro Suzuki doesn’t believe in second chances.
The 38-year old outfielder went 4-for-4 with four stolen bases to ensure that the Blue Jays (66-81) couldn’t win the second game of the Wednesday doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, dropping the contest 2-1 to the Yankees (85-63).
The Jays lost the first game 4-2, despite a sparkling seven-inning, seven strikeout start from Henderson Alvarez.
In what has come to be standard practice for Ricky Romero, Toronto could barely produce any run support for the left-hander during Game 2.
In his last 13 starts, the Los Angeles native has been privy to just 24 runs total, with an escalating 7.91 earned run average.
Romero avoided becoming the first pitcher to lose 14 consecutive decisions as a starter in a single season with Wednesday night’s no decision, thanks in part to spot-on defence behind him.
The Yankees didn’t capitalize on any of the opportunities Romero gave them.
The 27-year old worked six innings, and matched strike out for walk, giving out five of both. Romero allowed seven hits, but New York only cashed in one run, leaving nine men on base while he was on the mound.
Yankees Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter jumped on Romero’s first pitch of the game for his 200th hit of the season.
This is the eighth time the 38-year old has accomplished the feat in his career, tying him with Lou Gehrig’s franchise record.
Yankees’ rookie pitcher David Phelps allowed three hits to the Blue Jays, while he struck out six. One rough inning would be the only moment of weakness for the young starter.
Phelps offered up back-to-back walks in the second. Adeiny Hechavarria, playing shortstop in the absence of the suspended Yunel Escobar, fought through a tough at bat against Phelps.
On the 2-2 pitch with two outs, Hechavarria singled to left and scored Arencibia to give the Jays the early 1-0 lead. From there on, the next 12 Toronto batters were retired by Phelps.
The definitive moment for New York was Ichiro’s clutch single in the eighth. After retiring the three batters he faced in the seventh, including the third strikeout of the night to Alex Rodriguez, reliever Steve Delabar issued a walk to Curtis Granderson.
Delabar was replaced by lefty-specialist Aaron Loup. Ichiro stayed on Loup’s slider and drove it to the opposite field for his third four-hit game of the season, and what would be the winning run in Granderson.