Jays starter missed chance
TORONTO — J.A. Happ’s eyes told his disappointing story.
As he stood in the middle of the Blue Jays clubhouse he knew he let a ball game and perhaps a chance to escape this struggling mess of a team get away as he delivered his shortest outing dating back to Sept. 4, 2016, in an 8-5 loss Saturday to the Yankees at Rogers Centre, surrendering six runs in 2 2/3 innings.
The Yankees are so desperate for starting pitching, considering they have to keep Sonny Gray in the rotation, perhaps they will look past Happ’s past two starts.
Here are the cold, hard numbers. The lefty has given up six earned runs in back-to-back starts within a season for the first time in his 12-year career. His ERA jumped from 4.03 to 4.44 Saturday as his record dropped to 10-5.
Looking like a businessman who blew the big job interview, words spilled from Happ’s mouth. He wants the world and the Yankees to know he can do so much better, especially when he doesn’t have to face this Yankees lineup that bludgeons left-handers.
The win put the Yankees at 10-1 in their past 11 starts against lefties.
Happ surrendered a home run to center to leadoff hitter Brett Gardner on the first pitch. Four pitches later, Aaron Judge ripped his 25th home run of the season to right-center. Two walks and a funky double by Brandon Drury scored two more runs in the first.
When his day was done Happ had surrendered those six runs on six walks, four hits while striking out five. He faced 18 Yankees, 10 reached base, six scored, including the first four. This was as bad as Gray. To his credit, Happ opened the door to the possibility that it all went wrong because of the weight of trade rumors.
“I don’t know, potentially subconsciously,’’ he said. “I know these last two [starts] have not been really me or what I feel I’m known for, certainly not what I’m capable of. Having said that, I was ready to pitch. It didn’t go my way. I have to find a way to stop that as soon as possible.
“I thought I was making some good pitches,’’ Happ said. “They hit the two homers. It seems like right now every walk I give up comes around somehow or another. They got that bloop hit. The other two came around. It’s just frustrating.’’
Happ, 35, insisted his approach was solid.
“It really doesn’t change,’’ Happ said in a calm voice. “I was ready to pitch. I was excited to pitch. I felt good. You try to flush this one the best you can. I don’t think these last two [starts] are really indicative of how I pitched the last several years.’’
What about the disappointment of falling apart against a team that may trade for him.
“Not any more so than if it were anybody else,’’ Happ said. “I’m trying to compete. I’m trying to win. It hurts me right now as I’m standing and talking to you, the results today. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Yankees or whoever it is. I expect better and better will happen. I can’t remember the last time I walked six guys, so obviously I can be a lot better in that regard. Certainly I can pitch a lot deeper into the ball game.’’
Yes, there was an uneven strike zone by home plate umpire Lance Barrett that was so frustrating CC Sabathia was tossed from the Yankees bench and Blue Jays manager John Gibbons also was ejected.
“I have to be careful here,’’ Happ said. “Trying to be aggressive and trying to be fine, it’s a tough thing to balance. It didn’t go my way. I think some people objected to some calls today.’’
Sure, it isn’t easy pitching against the Yankees. He did come in with an 8-3 record against them and a 3.53 ERA.
“They’re good,’’ Happ said. “They are leading in several categories. They’re tough. They’re dynamic. But I’ve had some success in the past so you want to try and rely on that, but today, not so much.’’
Disappointment dripped from every word.