New York Yankees 2-4 Toronto Blue Jays
Alejandro Kirk smashed a decisive two-run double in the ninth off struggling Yankees reliever Devin Williams, propelling the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-2 comeback victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night at Yankee Stadium. The defeat halted New York’s five-game winning streak and highlighted persistent issues in the final inning of their bullpen strategy.
Williams struggles again in critical ninth inning
Devin Williams (0-2) came in to preserve a 2-1 Yankees advantage but couldn’t record an out. After yielding a leadoff single to George Springer and plunking Andrés Giménez, Williams mislocated a 1-0 change-up that Kirk hammered over Trent Grisham’s head in center field, clearing the bases and flipping the game in Toronto’s favor.
The collapse marked Williams’ first blown save in five opportunities this season, and his ERA skyrocketed to 11.25 after 10 appearances. The outing further underscored his early-season woes, with opponents now batting .273 against his signature change-up — a dramatic reversal from the .162 average it limited hitters to last year.
Yankees squander numerous scoring opportunities
Despite frequent chances, New York failed to break through when it mattered. The Yankees managed just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men stranded throughout the contest. After Oswaldo Cabrera knotted the score with an RBI single in the seventh, the Yankees stranded two more runners that inning and never regained offensive momentum.
Austin Wells briefly pushed New York ahead 2-1 with a sacrifice fly in the eighth, but the slim margin proved insufficient against Toronto’s late-game surge. Paul Goldschmidt, who had been swinging a hot bat for the Yankees, was retired by Jeff Hoffman with a runner aboard in the ninth, cementing the defeat.
Carrasco impresses, late relief falters
Carlos Carrasco delivered his finest outing of the season, tossing five shutout innings while surrendering just three hits. The seasoned right-hander utilized his pitch repertoire effectively and kept Toronto’s hitters off-balance, providing the Yankees with a solid foundation.
Mark Leiter Jr. entered following Williams’ exit but allowed an additional run on Addison Barger’s RBI single, extending Toronto’s advantage to 4-2.
Kirk excels behind and at the plate
Kirk’s contribution extended beyond his clutch hitting. The Blue Jays backstop proved instrumental defensively, gunning down both Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Cody Bellinger as they attempted to swipe second base in the sixth inning. His defensive prowess, combined with the game-changing hit in the ninth, emerged as the decisive factor in the outcome.
Guerrero Jr. and Berríos pace Toronto’s victory
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. connected for a homer in the sixth, putting Toronto on the scoreboard after Carrasco’s departure. José Berríos held the Yankees scoreless through 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits while striking out four. The performance marked Berríos’ first scoreless start since August 31, 2024, at Minnesota.
Mason Fluharty (1-0) secured his first major league win by shutting down the Yankees in the eighth, while Hoffman earned his sixth save in as many opportunities.
Key Stats and takeaways
- Williams’ ongoing struggles: Opponents are now 6-for-22 (.273) when facing Devin Williams’ change-up, a stark contrast to their .162 performance against it in 2024.
- Yankees’ clutch hitting woes: The team’s 1-for-9 showing with runners in scoring position proved pivotal in the loss.
- Ninth-inning collapse: Williams’ inability to protect the lead cost the Yankees a chance to extend their winning streak and maintain pressure in the AL East race.
Yankees roster
| hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| T. GrishamCF | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.291 | 0.361 | 0.636 |
| A. JudgeRF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.408 | 0.508 | 0.714 |
| B. RiceDH | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.282 | 0.391 | 0.59 |
| P. Goldschmidt1B | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.364 | 0.413 | 0.465 |
| C. BellingerLF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.195 | 0.258 | 0.317 |
| J. Chisholm Jr.2B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.172 | 0.297 | 0.419 |
| A. VolpeSS | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.202 | 0.303 | 0.394 |
| A. WellsC | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.2 | 0.267 | 0.427 |
| O. Cabrera3B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.277 | 0.347 | 0.338 |
| pitchers | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | PC-ST | ERA |
| C. Carrasco | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 67-41 | 5.26 |
| T. Hill | 1.1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14-10 | 2.84 |
| I. Hamilton | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1-Feb | 2.45 |
| F. Cruz | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15-11 | 1.93 |
| D. Williams(L, 0-2, B, 1) | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5-Dec | 11.25 |
| M. Leiter Jr. | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7-Nov | 3.18 |
Up Next
Saturday, April 26 — Yankee Stadium, New York
- Yankees starter: LHP Max Fried (4-0, 1.42 ERA)
- Blue Jays starter: RHP Kevin Gausman (2-2, 3.16 ERA)
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m. ET
Max Fried, among the league’s most effective starters this season, takes the hill as the Yankees look to rebound and even the series. He’ll face Kevin Gausman, who has pitched effectively through his first four starts.
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