TORONTO — In the sixth inning, Chris Bassitt pitched deep into the game, clinching his second consecutive win as the Toronto Blue Jays narrowly defeated the Yankees 3-1 on Monday night. Alejandro Kirk played a pivotal role, getting on base three times. This loss is the first instance this season where the Yankees have experienced consecutive defeats.
Oswaldo Cabrera, the infielder responsible for New York’s only run, acknowledged the team’s disappointment over the loss but highlighted their determination to prepare for the upcoming game.
The New York Yankees (12-5) were defeated by the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday in a tense extra-inning matchup, with a final score of 8-7. The Guardians scored three crucial runs in the 10th inning to clinch the victory.
This loss represented the second occasion in six series where the Yankees lost the opening game. Intriguingly, both of these series-opening defeats were inflicted by their division rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays had previously triumphed over the Yankees with a 3-0 win in their season opener at Yankee Stadium on April 5th.
Bassitt Stifles Yankees as Blue Jays Notch Third Straight Win
Chris Bassitt (2-2) delivered a commanding performance on the mound, holding the Yankees to just one run and four hits across 6 1/3 innings. His outstanding display propelled the Toronto Blue Jays to their best winning streak of the season, now at three games.
“We knew facing this formidable lineup would be a challenge,” acknowledged Bassitt, “but we had a clear strategy and executed it flawlessly.”
The right-hander demonstrated impeccable control, issuing only two walks while striking out five batters. He concluded his impressive outing by striking out Gleyber Torres swinging. Notably, Bassitt maintains an undefeated record (2-0) with an exceptional 1.00 ERA in his four career starts against the Yankees.
“He’s a true ‘kitchen sink’ pitcher,” commented Yankees manager Aaron Boone, alluding to Bassitt’s diverse repertoire of pitches. “He keeps hitters off balance by utilizing everything in his arsenal.”
Blue Jays Bullpen Shuts Down Yankees Rally in Thrilling Win
Toronto’s bullpen played a pivotal role in securing the victory. Tim Mayza dispatched two batters, while former Yankees reliever Chad Green delivered a flawless eighth inning, retiring all three batters faced. In the ninth, Yimi Garcia showcased his dominance by inducing flyouts from the heart of the Yankees’ order – Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Anthony Rizzo – to secure his second save of the season.
“The bullpen deserves immense credit for their performance tonight,” acknowledged Toronto manager John Schneider. “Every out they recorded was crucial in holding off the Yankees’ late push.”
Earlier in the game, Alejandro Kirk made significant contributions offensively. He drew a walk and scored in the second inning, followed by an RBI double in the third that extended the Blue Jays’ lead. His sharp single in the sixth further extended his hot streak, reaching base safely in seven consecutive plate appearances. This impressive run continued from his performance against Colorado the previous day, where he went 2 for 2 with two walks. However, Kirk’s streak came to an end in the eighth inning with a flyout to center field against Dennis Santana.
Early Yankee Lead Vanishes as Blue Jays Plate Three in Five Innings
Despite Oswaldo Cabrera sparking the scoreboard with an RBI single in the second inning, the Yankees’ lead was short-lived. The Blue Jays quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning, taking advantage of a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch from right-hander Luis Gil to take a 2-1 lead.
Alejandro Kirk extended Toronto’s control in the third inning with a crucial two-out RBI double. Gil’s night on the mound concluded after five innings, during which he gave up three runs on just three hits. However, his command faltered as he issued a career-high seven walks while recording six strikeouts.
“It wasn’t my best outing,” Gil admitted through a translator. “I need to improve my command and cut down on the walks.”
While acknowledging the loss, Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Luis Gil for his resilience on the mound. “Despite the high number of walks,” Boone remarked, “he battled through a tough outing and gave us valuable innings. He actually finished the game relatively strong.”
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Gil had struggled with control against Toronto. The Blue Jays were also his opponents the last time he walked seven batters, which happened in a shorter outing of 3 1/3 innings on September 9th, 2021.
In a strategic lineup adjustment, the Yankees positioned Aaron Judge as the designated hitter for this game, with Juan Soto taking over right field and Trent Grisham covering center field.
Roster
Up next
Tuesday night’s matchup promises an intriguing pitching duel. Left-hander Carlos Rodón (1-0, 1.72 ERA) will start for the New York Yankees, seeking to build on his impressive early-season performance. He’ll face off against Toronto’s left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 2.30 ERA), who is determined to rebound after his initial outing.
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