Yankees 10, Blue Jays 4: Ichiro Drives In Five, Freddy Gives Up Two

Freddy Garcia isn't the worst pitcher in the Yankee rotation, at least not right now. Not sure how that happens, but here we are. Garcia pitched six innings against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out four, walked no one, and retired his last eight straight batters. Kelly Johnson, who did all the damage against Freddy with a home run and an RBI double, was due up to lead off the next inning and Girardi likely didn't want to risk it in what was a closer game at the time, so Garcia was done after just 78 pitches.

Somehow, five relievers were called on to mix and match the remaining innings. Joba Chamberlain faced two batters and gave up one run, thanks to David Robertson who came on for an inning and allowed his inherited runner to score. Clay Rapada and Cody Eppley closed out the game, the latter coming in with two outs in the bottom of the ninth with the Yankees leading 10-3. Can't make this stuff up.

Ichiro drove in five runs on the night with a two-RBI single, a two-RBI double, and an RBI fielder's choice. Robinson Cano reached base three times with two singles and a walk, and Mark Teixeira homered off Steve Delabar for his 22nd of the season. Every starter except Andruw Jones had at least one hit in the game. The Yankees didn't do too much off starter Ricky Romero, with the bulk of their runs coming against the Toronto bullpen, but the Blue Jays were hurt all night by sketchy defensive plays. We've seen plenty of that on our end lately, so it's not unwelcome to have it work out the other way just this once.

The Yankees have now won three straight games, which can officially be called the beginnings of a winning streak. Come on back from the ledge of doom now. Ivan Nova takes the hill tomorrow afternoon at 1:07 p.m. against former Yankee Aaron Laffey. Should be a good time for both offenses if the past is any indication.