YANK GAME DAY
TORONTO — The Yankees got Smoaked.
Justin Smoak blasted two homers — including a twoout grand slam off David Robertson in the eighth inning — propelling the Blue Jays to a 7-4, come-from-behind victory over the Bombers on Sunday at Rogers Centre. The Yankees intentionally walked Josh Donaldson to load the bases and get to Smoak, who battled D-Rob in a nine-pitch atbat before blasting a 3-2, 93-mph fastball 412 feet over the wall in center.
The Bombers blew a 4-1 lead as their great bullpen imploded. Now, they're headed home after a four-game series split.
Aaron Boone and Giancarlo Stanton will both make their Bronx debuts in Monday's home opener at Yankee Stadium — weather permitting. Stanton, making his first MLB start in left, tracked down a deep fly ball in the corner from pinch-hitter Kendrys Morales in the sixth.
Newcomer Brandon Drury provided a two-run homer — his first as a Yankee — during a four-run second against nemesis Marcus Stroman.
Sonny Gray labored through four-plus innings, requiring 89 pitches. He struck out eight, but found himself in trouble a lot (seven hits, three walks). Granted, he was able to work out of it most of the time with a nice assortment of breaking pitches.
Tommy Kahnle gave up a two-run homer to Smoak in the seventh after walking the leadoff man.