The Blue Jays beat the Yankees 5-4

TORONTO — Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi struck out nine in six innings and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s two-run single in the fourth inning led the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-4 win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

Kikuchi (1-1) provided the Blue Jays (10-8) with a three-run cushion after giving up just four runs on four hits and a walk for Toronto's fourth win of the season.

The Yankees (12-6) suffered their third straight loss before 31,175 at Rogers Center.

With the game tied 1-1, Guerrero hit a two-run single to infield and center field, scoring Ernie Clement and Daulton Warshaw. Guerrero went 2-3 with two walks.

The Blue Jays scored two more in the sixth inning on an error by New York second baseman Gleyber Torres and an RBI single by Bo Bichette.

The Yankees finished with a two-run seventh inning in relief by Trevor Richards that included a double by Alex Verdugo and a sacrifice fly by Osvaldo Cabrera.

Toronto reliever Yimi Garcia enjoyed a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Canadian shortstop Jordan Romano pitched the ninth but picked up his first save of the year. He hit Torres and gave Verdugo a one-out double. Romano then assisted on a two-out infield, the first grounder to score Torres.

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Jose Trevino's single to left field, scoring Giancarlo Stanton from second base. Davis Schneider's throw was well timed and on target, but catcher Danny Jansen mishandled the ball. Jansen made his first start in 2024 after suffering an ankle injury during spring training.

Schneider made another outstanding defensive play in the sixth inning with a diving catch down the left field line.

The Blue Jays pulled even with a sacrifice fly by Justin Turner, who scored Daulton Warshaw after a double in the third inning. Yankees starter Carlos Rodin (1-1) lasted just four innings. In a 101-pitch effort, he surrendered three runs on five hits, four walks and five strikeouts.

SUPPORTED BY BULL

Before the game, the Blue Jays reinstated relievers Romano (right elbow inflammation) and Eric Swanson (right wrist inflammation) from the 15-day injured list.

Nate Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo and Mitch White was assigned to make room for returning veteran right-handed pitchers.

ON THE DECK

Toronto ends a nine-game streak with a three-game sweep against the Yankees on Wednesday night.

Kevin Gausman (0-2, 11.57) was slated to go against former Blue Jay Marcus Stroman (1-1, 2.12).

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 16, 2024.