TORONTO , In a game that felt more like a rollercoaster than a baseball match, the Toronto Blue Jays emerged victorious against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, securing an 11-9 win thanks to late-inning heroics. A crucial wild pitch from Yankees reliever Devin Williams that scored George Springer, followed immediately by Addison Barger’s run-scoring single in the eighth, proved to be the difference-makers in this American League East showdown.
With their third consecutive win in this pivotal four-game series, the Blue Jays (48-38) have now pulled level with the Yankees (48-38) atop the AL East. The atmosphere at Rogers Centre was electric, a testament to the high stakes and the palpable tension between these division rivals.
However, the road to victory was anything but smooth. The Blue Jays initially built what appeared to be an insurmountable 8-0 lead, only to see it evaporate as the Yankees mounted a furious comeback. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, in particular, was a one-man wrecking crew, tying the game 9-9 with a monstrous 440-foot home run off Yimi Garcia (1-2) in the eighth inning. The ball landed deep in the second deck in left field, silencing the once-raucous crowd, if only momentarily.
Speaking after the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged the team’s resilience. “This team, they just don’t quit,” he said. “Even when they tied it up, there was no sense of panic. They knew they could still get it done.”
The bottom of the eighth showcased exactly that. Springer drew a one-out walk, stole second base, and advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by Alejandro Kirk. It was then that Williams’ wild pitch allowed Springer to score the go-ahead run, setting the stage for Barger’s single that iced the game. “We didn’t realize it until later,” that the win had such huge implications for the division.
This late surge helped overshadow what was otherwise a shaky performance by the Blue Jays’ bullpen, which struggled to contain the Yankees’ powerful offense.
A Closer Look at the Game’s Key Moments:
- Blue Jays’ Early Onslaught: Toronto jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by Barger’s three-run homer and Davis Schneider’s two-run blast.
- Yankees’ Comeback: Giancarlo Stanton’s three-run homer in the fifth inning sparked a six-run rally, cutting the Blue Jays’ lead to 8-6.
- Judge’s Blast: Aaron Judge’s game-tying home run in the eighth inning seemed to swing the momentum back in the Yankees’ favor.
- The Deciding Eighth: Springer’s baserunning, Williams’ wild pitch, and Barger’s single combined to give the Blue Jays the lead for good.
Despite the victory, some observers questiond the Blue Jays’ ability to hold onto leads. This marks a reoccurring pattern this season. The underlying implication is whether the team is truly built for playoff contention. Broader context shows that consistent bullpen performance is crucial for any team with championship aspirations.
Williams (2-3) was tagged with the loss, while Jeff Hoffman secured his 20th save of the season in front of 30,985 fans at Rogers Centre. Hoffman’s presence in the closer role has been a source of stability for the Blue Jays.
Barger’s earlier three-run blast and Davis Schneider’s two-run homer were instrumental in the Blue Jays’ initial seven-run first inning, showcasing the team’s offensive firepower. However, the Yankees responded with a six-run outburst in the fifth, capped by Giancarlo Stanton’s three-run shot, making the score 8-6. Schneider added his second home run of the game in the seventh, extending Toronto’s lead to 9-7 before Judge’s dramatic equalizer.
Toronto’s starting pitcher, Jose Berrios, lasted only 4 1/3 innings, surrendering six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts. On the other side, Yankees starter Will Warren struggled mightly, pitching just four innings and allowing eight runs on 10 hits with four walks and four strikeouts. It wasn’t the greatest outings for either starter, to say the very least.
On X.com, fans expressed a mix of elation and trepidation. One user wrote, “What a game! Jays are legit this year!” While another commented, “Can’t keep giving up leads like that. Need better pitching.”
Key Takeaways:
For the Yankees, even in a defeat, Aaron Judge continued his torrid hitting pace, reaching base five times in the game (single, double, homer, intentional walk, and a walk). On the other hand, in the bottom of the second inning, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. received the news of his selection as the American League starting first baseman for the All-Star Game in Atlanta on July 15, joining Judge as one of the league’s premier talents.
Looking ahead, the Blue Jays and Yankees will conclude their series tomorrow. Chris Bassitt (7-4) will take the mound for Toronto, facing off against Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (4-4). With the division lead on the line, the series finale promises to be another intense and pivotal matchup.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.