Blue Jays Lose 4-3 to Yankees, Narrowing AL East Race
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By Harry Kettle
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Summary:
- The New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 on Sunday.
- Aaron Judge made a diving catch to save a run and later scored on Cody Bellinger’s double.
- The Blue Jays continue to hold the season tiebreaker with 8 victories out of 13 games against the Yankees
The New York Yankees edged the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 on Sunday, tightening the American League East race by reaching a short two-game distance from first place.
Aaron Judge, who marked his second start in right field since late July due to a nagging elbow injury, lost no time proving his skills. As Toronto was threatening in the fifth, George Springer ripped a liner at 106.4 mph toward the gap.
Judge broke in, dove full extension, and managed to come up with the ball, stranding Nathan Lukes at second and preserving a narrow lead.
Judge also showed a lot of patience at the plate, where he drew three walks. In the third inning, he worked a free pass, swiped second, and then raced home on Cody Bellinger’s double off the right-center wall to put the Yankees in front.
The 33-year-old Californian also handled six balls cleanly in the outfield and even showed off his arm, firing a 70.7 mph throw to second on Ernie Clement’s double.
The Yankees got a fast start thanks to rookie Ben Rice, who launched a three-run shot in the first inning against Max Scherzer. That cushion proved valuable for Max Fried, who took the opportunity to turn in another strong outing.
Fried went seven innings, giving up three runs on six hits while striking out five. The left-hander improved to 16-5, tying him for the MLB lead in wins, and continued his hot streak with a 1.67 ERA over his last four starts.
Toronto Fought Back with Force
Isiah Kiner-Falefa delivered a run batted in single and Lukes added a sacrifice fly in the second, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who tallied eight hits in the series, tied it in the third with a double following an error by Anthony Volpe, his 19th of the year.
Scherzer, who had been pushed back due to back stiffness, lasted just 4 1/3 innings, giving up four runs and four hits to fall to 5-3.
David Bednar locked down his 22nd save for New York. After Lukes singled with one out in the ninth, catcher Austin Wells gunned him down trying to steal second, ending Toronto’s last real threat.
The Blue Jays, who still hold the season tiebreaker after winning eight of 13 against New York, return home Tuesday to host Houston. The Yankees, meanwhile, head to Detroit, where Will Warren (8-6, 4.28 ERA) is slated to face Casey Mize (13-5, 3.87).
