The Toronto Blue Jays are making the Bronx Bombers look like the ones getting bombed. Rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage made history and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made franchise history as the Blue Jays routed the New York Yankees 13-7 on Sunday at Rogers Centre to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series.
Yesavage, the 22-year-old phenom who was Toronto’s first-round pick just last year, delivered a stunning postseason debut. He struck out 11 batters in 5 1/3 no-hit innings, the most strikeouts ever by a Blue Jays pitcher in a postseason game.
Meanwhile, Guerrero Jr. crushed the first postseason grand slam in team history, igniting a relentless Toronto offense that pounded out 15 hits and reached double figures in runs for the second straight game.
Yesavage’s outing was nothing short of electric. Known for his devastating split-finger fastball, he used it to record eight of his 11 strikeouts, with the other three coming via mid-90s heaters.
He opened the game by fanning Trent Grisham on a splitter, walked Aaron Judge, then struck out Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice to start a stretch of 12 consecutive outs.
The streak only ended when Jazz Chisholm Jr. reached on Guerrero’s fielding error in the fifth. Unfazed, Yesavage induced a popup from Ryan McMahon and struck out Anthony Volpe to end the inning and his night on top.
Yesavage’s 11 strikeouts shattered the previous Blue Jays postseason mark of eight, held jointly by Dave Stieb, David Price (twice), and Juan Guzmán.
After throwing 78 pitches — 48 for strikes — Yesavage exited to a roaring ovation from the Rogers Centre crowd of 44,764, who serenaded him with chants until he emerged for a curtain call.
Lefty Justin Bruihl relieved him, promptly retiring Grisham before Judge broke up the no-hit bid with an infield single. Bellinger followed with a two-run homer to put New York on the board.
Toronto’s lineup again looked unstoppable. A night after hitting three home runs in a 10-1 Game 1 win, the Blue Jays exploded for five more homers — two from Daulton Varsho, and one each from Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, and George Springer.
Varsho turned in a career night, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two homers, four runs scored, and four RBIs. Guerrero went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and four driven in — all on the grand slam that turned the game into a rout.
Toronto now has eight home runs and just seven strikeouts through two games — a testament to their plate discipline and power surge.
Clement and Springer each added solo shots, and the Blue Jays finished with 15 hits total, marking their eighth win in nine home meetings with New York this season.
New York starter Max Fried (0-1) endured another rough outing north of the border. The left-hander allowed seven runs and eight hits in just three-plus innings, continuing his struggles in Toronto.
Fried, who went 11-1 with a 1.82 ERA in 16 regular-season starts following Yankees losses, saw that magic fade in October. He’s now 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA in his last two starts at Rogers Centre, surrendering 10 runs (eight earned) and five walks.
Bellinger (3 RBIs) and Rice (2 RBIs) were the few bright spots for New York, which now faces elimination.
The ALDS now moves to the Bronx for Game 3 on Tuesday night, where the Yankees must find a way to slow down a Blue Jays offense that has scored 23 runs on 29 hits in the first two games.
Toronto, meanwhile, will look to complete the sweep and punch its first ticket to the American League Championship Series since 2016.
If Yesavage’s dazzling debut and the Blue Jays’ home run barrage are any indication, the Yankees are in deep trouble heading home.
