TORONTO — New York won their 11th game in 16 attempts on Thursday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-2 thanks to a two-run home run by Aaron Judge in the first inning.
In six plus innings of work, Nestor Cortes (4-2), who had not won in his previous four starts, allowed just two runs on five hits. Six batters struck out and he walked just one.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his satisfaction, stating that it was a great way to conclude what had been a highly successful series for them.
The Yankees swept the Blue Jays, winning three of four games, while Anthony Volpe contributed a home run. The rookie shortstop launched his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot off of Nate Pearson, to make the score 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth.
This month, the Yankees have played 17 games and have blasted 33 home runs.
Cortes conveyed his perspective, mentioning that he believed the team was on a roll. He expressed that they were playing excellent baseball and observed that the energy in the dugout was vibrant and lively.
Ryan Weber pitched one inning, Albert Abreu threw the eighth, and Ron Marinaccio closed out the game for his first career save.
Boone humorously remarked that they referred to the quartet of Michael King, Clay Holmes, Jimmy Cordero, and Wandy Peralta as “Nestor and the Funky Bunch” that evening. He acknowledged that all four players were unavailable for the game.
Boone mentioned that it was one of those days when many key players were unavailable, and the team had to find a way to compete despite the circumstances.
Despite Bo Bichette’s home run in the bottom of the first inning, Toronto was defeated in its first home series of the year.
Losing for the first time since April 19 in Houston, José Berros (3-4) surrendered three runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. Only one walk and eight strikeouts were his totals.
Following a first-inning single by Gleyber Torres, Judge connected with a 1-1 offering from Berros.
Boone highlighted the significance of the team’s performance, mentioning that it was a crucial factor in their success. He acknowledged Nestor’s contribution, noting that he took over from there and made a notable impact. Boone also appreciated AJ for setting the tone right from the beginning of the game, which was a positive aspect for the team.
Judge hit his 12th home run of the season, and his sixth in the last six games. The current AL MVP went deep four times in the series, including twice in Monday’s first game and a home run that broke a tie in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s 6-3 win.
Judge said that his strong series wasn’t because he was angry about being accused of stealing signs on Monday, when the Toronto feed showed him looking away from home plate before hitting a home run off Blue Jays reliever Jay Jackson. Jackson later admitted that he had been giving away his throws.
Judge expressed his mindset, stating that his focus was on fulfilling his responsibilities and doing his job. He acknowledged feeling upset about something, but recognized that there was nothing he could do to change the situation. Despite any frustrations, he emphasized the importance of continuing to perform on the field and fulfilling his role as a player.
Judge’s last nine hits have included six home runs. In the sixth, he almost hit it again, but video showed that his deep drive hit the top of the wall in center, so the call on the field was changed. Judge got a double in the end.
New York got rid of Berros, and Oswaldo Cabrera’s double and Aaron Hicks‘s single with two outs made it 3-1 in the seventh.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a big hitter for the Blue Jays, didn’t start because his right knee hurt. In the bottom of the seventh, with the bases full, he came off the bench to hit in place of Santiago Espinal. On Weber’s first pitch, Guerrero hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-2.
UP NEXT
The Yankees will play their first game of a three-game series in Cincinnati on Friday. RHP Clarke Schmidt (1-4, 6.30) will start for the Yankees. The Reds send out RHP Ben Lively (1-1, 1.69) to start the game.
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