New York Yankees 0, Toronto Blue Jays 6
TORONTO — Chris Bassitt achieved a milestone by pitching 200 innings for the first time in his career. Additionally, Brandon Belt launched a three-run home run as the Toronto Blue Jays took a significant step towards securing an AL wild card playoff spot, blanking the New York Yankees 6-0 on Thursday night.
Daulton Varsho and Matt Chapman each contributed solo home runs for the Toronto Blue Jays (88-71), who began the game in the second AL wild card position, holding a slim half-game lead over Houston and a two-game lead over Seattle.
George Springer registered three hits, while Cavan Biggio notched two hits and reached base three times for Toronto (88-71), as the team racked up a total of 13 hits.
The Yankees (81-78) were just one victory away from securing their impressive 31st consecutive season with a winning record.
Bassitt (16-8) put on a stellar performance, limiting the Yankees to five hits over 7 2/3 innings, earning his first career victory against them in three attempts. He equaled his personal record with 12 strikeouts while issuing only one walk.
In his inaugural season under a three-year, $63 million contract, Bassitt concluded the campaign with a 3.60 ERA.
Bassitt notched his 200th inning of the season with a strikeout of Aaron Judge, securing the second out of the eighth inning. Following this accomplishment, Yimi García took over on the mound, and Bassitt departed to a roaring ovation from the 36,657 fans in attendance. García promptly retired Gleyber Torres to close out the inning.
Tim Mayza wrapped up the impressive seven-hit performance, propelling Toronto to their eighth victory in the last 12 games. Unfortunately for New York, this marked their 10th shutout of the season.
Facing offensive struggles following consecutive shutout losses, Blue Jays manager John Schneider made strategic lineup changes. Bo Bichette was shifted from the second spot to cleanup, while Chapman was placed eighth in the batting order.
Brandon Belt assumed Bichette’s former position as the second batter in the lineup. Belt, Toronto’s designated hitter, extended the lead to 6-0 with his 17th home run, launching a sixth-inning shot off Zach McAllister.
Varsho ended Toronto’s 20-inning streak without scoring by launching a leadoff home run on the first pitch in the third inning, marking his 19th home run of the season.
Chapman, on the other hand, hit his first home run since August 4th when he connected in the fourth inning. Chapman’s opposite-field blast to right field was his 16th home run of the season.
Both of these home runs were off Luke Weaver (3-6), who allowed two runs and six hits during his four innings on the mound.
Biggio extended the lead to 3-0 by driving in a run with an RBI single off right-hander Greg Weissert in the fifth inning.
In an impressive major league debut for the Yankees, 23-year-old right-hander Yoendrys Gómez took the mound and pitched the seventh and eighth innings. During his debut, he allowed just one hit while recording four strikeouts and issuing no walks.
UP NEXT
Left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodón (3-7, 5.74 ERA) is set to take the mound on Friday as the Yankees kick off a three-game series in Kansas City. The Royals are anticipated to have right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles (5-17, 6.24 ERA) as their starting pitcher.
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would like to see the blue jays make the playoff’s tired of the Astro’s good to see the young talent show their stuff.DON”T FIRE BOONE !!!!!