Yankees establishing their ‘grinding’ identity: ‘Play all 27 outs’

Marcus Stroman was not the first Yankees starter to say it this season, but the sentiment rang just as true on Wednesday in Toronto as it did during the season-opening series in Houston.

“Early on in the game, there’s a priority on limiting damage and doing as much as I can to keep the team in the game,” Stroman said. “I feel like this lineup’s so potent, they can explode at any time. … I feel like we’re never out of it.”

Stroman did his part, limiting the Blue Jays to just two runs across 5 ¹/₃ innings by getting out of some early jams.

By the end of the game, the Yankees lineup delivered on its end once again.

Facing a three-run deficit entering the eighth inning, the Yankees turned in another late-game comeback, this one resulting in a 6-4 win that helped them avoid a sweep at Rogers Centre.

“I think it’s just the confidence in each other,” said Aaron Judge, who came through with the go-ahead two-run single in the four-run ninth inning.