The Bronx Bombers haven’t conceded defeat.
After enduring another sluggish beginning, the Yankees mounted a comeback to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-6 on Tuesday at their home stadium. This victory signifies their initial triumph in this American League Division Series, sustaining their playoff aspirations after suffering defeats in the initial pair of contests. Presently, they trail 2-1 as they approach Wednesday’s Game 4.
Advertisement
[Access additional updates about New York: Yankees team updates]
Following a couple of incredibly dominant performances in the initial two games in Toronto, the Blue Jays sustained their momentum on Tuesday, predominantly fueled by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He launched a two-run homer in the opening inning, instantly placing the Blue Jays in a favorable position. That marked his third consecutive game with a homer.
While the Yankees lessened that advantage with a run in the bottom of the frame, the Blue Jays scored four in the third inning. Anthony Santander delivered a two-RBI single, and Guerrero successfully reached home plate on an Ernie Clement single with a dramatic, airborne slide.
That’s approximately the juncture at which the Blue Jays’ offensive output diminished. The Yankees steadily reduced the deficit, making it 6-3 before Aaron Judge connected with a three-run shot that sailed far off the left-field foul pole in the fourth inning, unexpectedly leveling the score. It was his first home run of this postseason and his 11th overall hit, a figure unmatched by any other participant in the field.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. contributed a solo homer in the fifth inning — complemented by a flawless bat flip — granting the Yankees their inaugural lead of the series.
By the time the Blue Jays managed to piece together a scoreless inning defensively, the Yankees had accumulated eight unanswered runs, and any momentum the Blue Jays possessed had long dissipated.
Advertisement
Game 3 represented Toronto’s first defeat of the year after holding a lead of at least five runs during the contest. The Blue Jays boasted a flawless 39-0 record in such instances prior to Tuesday.
While the Blue Jays’ performance after the initial two-and-a-half innings was not commendable, and they are likely facing a bullpen game Wednesday, they can draw some solace. They remain just a single win away from advancing to the ALCS for the first time since 2016, and they have two opportunities to achieve that objective.
The Yankees, even after their remarkable comeback, still have considerable work ahead. That’ll start with Game 4 on Wednesday (7:08 p.m. ET, FS1)
