Chris Bassitt homers as Toronto Blue Jays beat New York Yankees, roll back over 500

TORONTO — Every pitch is a process for Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt. He often leans over or talks to himself before locking and shooting from an arsenal that offers variety and quality.

When his game is on, his weapon can handcuff his opponents.

The Yankees had no answer for the veteran right-hander in Toronto's 3-1 win over New York at Rogers Center on Monday night.

“He's the epitome of a kitchen sink, he throws everything away,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He comes up with things very quickly.

“He's just really good at doing different steps, so it's hard to put a bead on him.”

Bassitt (2-2), who threw eight different pitches, held the Yankees to one run and four hits. He mixed mid-90s fastballs with 69 mph sweepers.

“I thought he took a big step after the big pitch,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “That's what he does.”

Alejandro Kirk had a two-hitter as Toronto extended its winning streak to three games. The Blue Jays (9-8) have won five of seven and are over the .500 mark for the first time since their opening day win.

The Yankees, who started off with the best record in the major leagues, fell to 12-5.

“It's a tough lineup, but we had a game plan and stuck to it,” Bassitt said.

Tim Mayza finished the seventh inning for Bassitt and Chad Green pitched a clean eighth. Yimi Garcia completed a 1-2-3 ninth inning against the heart of the Yankees for his second save.

“There's no good bullpen arm in the big leagues right now, whatever you want to call it,” said Bassitt, who walked two and struck out five. “Yimi Garcia is unbelievable right now.”

Both teams had four hits in the first period of the three-game series.

Toronto scored in the second inning on a bases-loaded walk and a bases-loaded wild pitch. Kirk drove in the Blue Jays' other run in the third.

The Blue Jays put runners on the corners in the first inning after a pair of walks and a fielder's choice. Yankees starter Luis Gil (0-1) escaped by striking out Justin Turner and pulling out Bo Bichette at first base.

New York also took advantage, putting runners on first and third in the next frame. Osvaldo Cabrera's RBI single brought home Gleyber Torres with the game's first run.

Gill's control issues continued in the bottom half of the inning. He issued three straight walks after giving up a double to Cavan Biggio, extending his hitting streak to a career-high nine games.

A free pass to Isiah Keener-Falefa brought home Biggio and a wild pitch to George Springer drove Kirk home to make it 2-1.

Kirk hit his first extra-base hit of the season with a double down the left field line in the third inning. Bishet scored from second base on the play.

“Of course not my night,” Gil said through a translator.

The right-hander allowed three runs, three hits and seven walks on six strikeouts.

“You've got to go against a guy who doesn't run the zone,” Schneider said. “We did that and got a couple of hits and a couple of walks.”

A successful run on a stolen base call helped prevent a New York rally in the fifth inning. Trent Grisham was initially called safe at second base, but review showed that Biggio tagged his foot before his hand touched the bag.

The published attendance was 30,962 and the game took two hours and 23 minutes to play.

EASE ON THE ROAD

There are no specifics on the timing, but Toronto relievers Jordan Romano and Eric Swanson are expected to be activated from the injured list “soon,” Schneider said before the game.

The announcement is likely to be made on Tuesday. Romano (elbow) and Swanson (wrist) were with the big league club Monday after completing rehab assignments at Triple-A Buffalo.

The Blue Jays reinstated catcher Danny Jansen (wrist) from 10-day IL before the game.

Jackie Robinson Day

Players on both teams wore #42 on Jackie Robinson Day. This number was universally retired by Major League Baseball in 1997.

Robinson broke the MLB color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

IN CASE

The left-hander was scheduled to face Toronto's Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 2.30 ERA) against Carlos Rodon (1-0, 1.72) on Tuesday night.

The series concludes on Wednesday with a matinee. Kevin Gausman (0-2, 11.57) was lined up to start opposite former Blue Jay Marcus Stroman (1-1, 2.12).

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 15, 2024.

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