Kevin Gausman ejected after disastrous third inning against Yankees

On April 27, 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays played a doubleheader opener against the New York Yankees in New York. Toronto's pitcher, Kevin Gausman, had a tough outing, being ejected after throwing 53 pitches and giving up six runs in just 2 2/3 innings. His poor performance was highlighted by five walks, one shy of his career high for an entire game, and an ERA increase from 3.16 to 4.50. Gausman initially began the game well, needing just 18 pitches to get through the first two innings, holding a 1-0 lead, but fell apart in the third inning, allowing multiple walks and a double before being replaced. After his ejection, Blue Jays manager John Schneider was also ejected for arguing a call, further illustrating the frustration of the team during the game. Max Fried, the Yankees' pitcher, secured his fifth consecutive win, allowing only one run over six innings as the Yankees dominated the Blue Jays with an 11-2 victory. Austin Wells contributed to the offensive explosion with a three-run double during the decisive six-run third inning. Gausman faced a series of difficult plate appearances, including near misses and drawn-out at-bats, leading to critical walks that shifted the momentum of the game. The Yankees capitalized on his wildness, driving in runs and taking a commanding lead. A noteworthy statistic indicated that Gausman threw the most pitches in an inning since 2022, which demonstrated the extent of his struggle. This loss further underscores the challenges the Blue Jays have been facing this season, as their pitching inconsistencies continue to plague their performance, particularly against stronger teams such as the Yankees. The players seemed to lose composure, evidenced by the ejections, which may foreshadow a need for better handling under pressure moving forward in the season. In contrast, the Yankees are building momentum, with Fried keeping an impressive record that has bolstered their confidence amidst earlier losses. As the season progresses, the Blue Jays will need to regroup and address their pitching woes if they hope to compete effectively in the American League.