The New York Yankees continued their strong stretch with an 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, using a three-run sixth inning to break the game open and cruise to their sixth win in seven games.
With the game tied at 2-2, the Yankees loaded the bases to open the sixth inning after three consecutive singles, including a bunt single by Jazz Chisholm Jr. Toronto starter José Soriano was removed after the rally began, and New York took advantage of the Blue Jays’ bullpen.
After Braydon Fisher recorded the first two outs, Trent Grisham worked a full-count walk on a slider that missed low and inside, giving New York the lead. Ben Rice followed by battling left-hander Mason Fluharty to another full count before lining a slider into right field for a two-run single that extended the Yankees’ advantage to 5-2.
Chisholm provided another big blow in the seventh inning, launching a two-run homer to put New York firmly in control. Grisham added a solo home run in the eighth as the Yankees continued to pile on.
Rookie Spencer Jones contributed an RBI double in the second inning and also made an impressive defensive play later in the game. In the sixth, Jones made a diving catch in right field on Alejandro Kirk’s sinking liner to prevent Toronto from extending its rally.
Austin Wells also drove in a run with a double in the second inning as New York quickly established an early offensive presence.
The Yankees finished with double-digit hits for the third time in their last five games. The offensive performance was especially notable after New York was held hitless for 6 2/3 innings Saturday by San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease.
Carlos Rodón made his second start since returning from the injured list and allowed two runs, only one of them earned, on two hits over four innings. The left-hander remained under a pitch limit and threw 76 pitches. He continued pitching after rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. committed a fielding error on Ernie Clement’s grounder in the fourth inning, requiring Rodón to throw 12 additional pitches.
Paul Blackburn followed Rodón and earned the victory after throwing two scoreless innings, improving to 5-2 on the season.
Toronto received sacrifice flies from rookie Brett Bateman and Daz Cameron, while Kirk added an RBI single in the eighth inning. Soriano took the loss after allowing five runs and seven hits over five-plus innings. He struck out seven and walked three, falling to 10-7.
For New York, the victory marked the third time since the All-Star break that the Yankees have won by at least five runs. The combination of timely hitting, power and strong defensive plays helped the Yankees pull away after a competitive first half of the game.
The Yankees will now turn their attention to a three-game series against the Houston Astros, beginning Tuesday. Right-hander Will Warren, 8-6 with a 4.43 ERA, is scheduled to start the opener for New York.
The Blue Jays will return home Tuesday to begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals.
