Blue Jays crush Yankees, send Bombers to brink in MLB playoffs: Highlights

The Toronto Blue Jays delivered a historic two-game performance against the New York Yankees, showcasing a standout rookie and a powerful offensive display before heading back to Canada with a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series.

In Game 2, the Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 13-7 at Rogers Centre, with an overflowing crowd of fans celebrating the victory. The game was highlighted by a no-hit effort from Trey Yesavage, who made just his fourth major league start. He struck out 11 batters, walked only one, and allowed no hits in 5 ⅓ innings. The Yankees struggled against his split-finger pitch, often swinging and missing or looking at pitches in the strike zone.

On the offensive side, the Blue Jays hit five home runs, including a grand slam by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a two-homer, two-double performance by Daulton Varsho. This helped build a commanding lead of 11-0 after four innings and 13-2 after six. They forced the Yankees' ace, Max Fried, out of the game after three-plus innings and hit four homers off long man Will Warren, who managed to keep the game going into the eighth inning.

Despite the Yankees scoring seven runs in the seventh inning, the Blue Jays still held a 13-7 lead. The team used seven relief pitchers, but ultimately, the Blue Jays’ dominance was clear. With a 2-0 series lead, they now have three chances to eliminate the defending AL champions.

"This has got to be cloud nine," Yesavage said after the game. "I couldn't imagine a better feeling right now."

Toronto, as the top seed in the AL playoffs, can clinch the series in Game 3 on Oct. 7. Right-hander Shane Bieber will face Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón.

The Blue Jays won Game 1 10-1, and they outscored the Yankees 23-8 in the two games. For the first time in their history, the Yankees gave up 10 or more runs in consecutive playoff games.

Here's how Sunday's game unfolded:

Key Moments

• Yankees cut into Jays' lead, trail 13-7: After scoring the first 12 runs of AL Division Series Game 2, the Blue Jays bullpen could not keep the game safe, allowing the Yankees to score seven runs in the sixth and seventh innings. The Blue Jays eventually held a 13-7 lead.

• Daulton Varsho hits another home run: Varsho continued his impressive performance with a second home run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, pushing the lead to 13-2. He finished 4-for-4 with two doubles, two home runs, and four RBIs.

• Yankees end no-hitter, Cody Bellinger homers: Trey Yesavage was relieved after 5.1 hitless innings and 11 strikeouts. Justin Bruihl came in and gave up a single to Aaron Judge, ending the combined no-hit bid. Cody Bellinger followed with a two-run homer for the Yankees' first runs of the game.

• Daulton Varsho home run makes it 11-0: Two batters after Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s grand slam, Varsho hit a two-run homer off Will Warren to extend the lead to 11-0.

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grand slam blows it open: The grand slam by Guerrero Jr. gave the Blue Jays a 9-0 lead, setting the stage for a dominant performance.

• Trey Yesavage dazzles in first inning: Making just his fourth MLB start, Yesavage struck out three Yankees in the top of the first, working around a one-out walk for Aaron Judge.

Other Highlights

• Blue Jays extend lead to 5-0: The Blue Jays tagged Max Fried for seven hits, adding three runs in the bottom of the third to extend their lead to 5-0.

• Ernie Clement home run puts Blue Jays in front: Ernie Clement’s early home run gave the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead heading to the bottom of the third.

• Trey Yesavage stats, scouting report: Yesavage, a 2024 first-round draft pick, made his MLB debut in September against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out nine in five innings.

• Aaron Boone on Trey Yesavage: Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Yesavage, noting his unique delivery and strong split-finger pitch.

• José Caballero talks time with Yankees: The Yankees acquired José Caballero from the Rays at the trade deadline and he contributed with 15 steals and an .828 OPS in 40 games.

Game Details

• Yankees lineup today:
• Trent Grisham (L) CF
• Aaron Judge (R) RF
• Cody Bellinger (L) LF
• Ben Rice (L) 1B
• Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
• Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
• Anthony Volpe (R) SS

• Austin Wells (L) C

• Blue Jays lineup:

• George Springer (R) DH
• Davis Schneider (R) LF
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
• Alejandro Kirk (R) C
• Daulton Varsho (L) CF
• Ernie Clement (R) 3B
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
• Andrés Giménez (L) SS

• Myles Straw (R) RF

• Who is pitching for the Yankees today?: Left-hander Max Fried (19-5, 2.86 ERA) starts for the Yankees in Game 2. He tossed 6 ⅓ shutout innings in the first game of the AL wild card series against the Red Sox.

• What time is Yankees vs Blue Jays Game 2?: First pitch is at 4:08 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

• Aaron Judge 'didn't get the job done' in Game 1: Judge had two hits in Game 1 but struck out with the bases loaded and none out in the sixth inning. He admitted he didn’t get the job done.