The Toronto Blue Jays were hoping a start against the New York Yankees would help Alek Manoah turn his season around.
No such luck.
A rough campaign continued on Monday as the 2022 all-star once again struggled with his command against a team he had enjoyed plenty of success against in seven previous starts, including his MLB debut in 2021.
Manoah gave up first-inning home runs to Aaron Judge and Willie Calhoun on fastballs, putting the Yankees up 3-0 before the Blue Jays had taken a swing.
While Judge is the AL’s single-season home run king, Calhoun had just two home runs this season before Monday.
Manoah gave up two more runs in the fourth, including one on a bases-loaded walk.
The right-hander walked a career-high seven and gave up six hits. Manoah had just 44 strikes on 92 pitches.
Manoah was replaced by Nate Pearson after walking the first two batters in the fifth and with New York up 5-0. Pearson retired the next three batters to limit the damage.
Manoah’s ERA is now up to 5.40 — well up from last season’s 2.24.
Toronto’s opening-day starter has not made it past the fifth inning in six of his past seven starts.