NEW YORK — During their biggest series in New York after the All-Star break in 22 years, there were a number of moments helping the Blue Jays maintain their roll.
There were big swings via two home runs apiece from third baseman Josh Donaldson and right fielder Jose Bautista, a grand slam by first baseman Justin Smoak and a tack-on home run by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
None of those would have mattered had the Blue Jays lost the games or blown some games late.
Toronto turned in a flawless bullpen performance during its first three-game sweep in New York since May 22-25, 2003 and the biggest out during Sunday’s 2-0 win came from its oldest player when LaTroy Hawkins stranded two by getting the final two outs of the seventh.
In his 1,029th career appearance, Hawkins needed only nine pitches. After right-hander Marco Estrada allowed his third hit of the game to third baseman Chase Headley, Hawkins entered with runners at first and second.
“Stay calm, make your pitches and make your pitches and get out of this,” said Hawkins, who has held left-handed hitters to a .205 average (9-for-44). “That’s my thought process. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable kind of in that uncomfortable situation. This isn’t like my first time there. I’ve been there before.”
For the first out, Hawkins retired shortstop Didi Gregorius on a lineout. For the final out, Hawkins struck out second baseman Stephen Drew with a high fastball in a moment that can be viewed as the turning point to Toronto’s eighth straight victory.
“He’s still got pretty good velocity,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said. “You figure at his age you start losing that a little bit. He’s not what he was as a young kid but he’s turned himself into a pretty good pitcher. The big thing in those situations, the guys that have been through it 20-plus years. He’s been through many of those things. He’s not going to always get the results you want but he’s not going to be distracted or intimidated or anything like that and that’s key in those big innings.”
For as much notoriety Toronto’s powerful offense has been getting recently, its bullpen has been pretty good recently.
Hawkins has allowed one earned run over his last 19 innings. Left-hander Brett Cecil, who lost his closer’s job in April has turned in 15 straight scoreless appearances, Aaron Sanchez has allowed one hit and three batters to reach since returning from the DL July 25 and rookie closer Roberto Osuna has recorded his last 10 save opportunities after throwing 17 pitches in his two saves against the Yankees.
“You can’t win anything without a good bullpen,” Gibbons said. “We’ve had our struggles a time or two getting to the last couple of innings. It’s starting to iron itself out.”