The Blue Jays outlasted the Yankees 11-9 on July 3, 2025, in a wild slugfest. Despite homers from Judge & Stanton, Toronto rallied late to tie for first place.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought you'd seen it all, the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees delivered an absolute rollercoaster of a ballgame. In a contest that saw an eight-run lead evaporate into thin air, the Blue Jays dug deep, manufacturing a late-game rally to secure a wild 11-9 victory and, more importantly, a tie for first place in the American League East.
George Springer scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by Devin Williams in the bottom of the eighth.
It was a slugfest from the start. The Jays ambushed Yankees starter Will Warren for a seven-run first inning, capped by a three-run homer from Addison Barger. With Davis Schneider adding two long balls of his own, Toronto built what seemed like an insurmountable 8-0 lead. But this is a Yankees-Jays rivalry, and nothing is ever simple. New York clawed back, highlighted by a six-run sixth inning that included Giancarlo Stanton's first homer of the year. When Aaron Judge launched a two-run shot in the eighth to tie it 9-9, the Rogers Centre was stunned. But the Jays didn't fold. George Springer scampered home on a crucial wild pitch for the go-ahead run before Barger added an insurance RBI single, finishing his night with four RBIs.
A game like that underscores the importance of a deep, reliable bullpen, and the Jays got a timely boost. The team officially activated key reliever Yimi García from the injured list on Thursday, sending Mason Fluharty to Triple-A. García's return is crucial as the club navigates a tricky injury landscape. Bo Bichette remains day-to-day with a knee issue, making the recent recall of infielder Leo Jimenez all the more important. The IL still holds key contributors like Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander, making every win and every healthy arm vital.
With the season series now 4-2 in Toronto's favor, the stage is set for a dramatic series finale on July 3rd. The winner walks away with sole possession of first place. The Blue Jays couldn't ask for a better man on the mound than Chris Bassitt. The veteran right-hander has been a Yankee-killer throughout his career, boasting a sparkling 1.63 ERA in six starts against them. Riding a 7-3 record in their last ten games and with George Springer swinging one of the hottest bats in baseball (17-for-35), the Jays have all the momentum they need to make a definitive statement.
This isn't just another series in July. This is a battle for the top of the division against a bitter rival. After a heart-stopping victory, the Blue Jays have a chance to put an exclamation point on this homestand. With their ace against New York on the mound, Toronto has a golden opportunity to take sole possession of the AL East and prove they are the team to beat heading into the All-Star break.
