On July 24, the Blue Jays beat the Yankees 8-4 thanks to a strong start from Chris Bassitt and four costly errors by New York. See how they clinched the series.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a game that felt more like a comedy of errors for the visitors, the Toronto Blue Jays played smart, fundamental baseball to dismantle the New York Yankees 8-4 on Thursday night. The win at Rogers Centre not only extends their AL East lead to a comfortable four games but also clinches the season series against their bitter rivals, proving once again who currently runs the East.
'The little things, the fundamental things... are so magnified when you're playing a good team and we've absolutely keyed on that.' - Ernie Clement
The Yankees simply couldn't get out of their own way, committing four costly errors that the Blue Jays were all too happy to exploit. The game turned on its head in the fifth inning when a routine bouncer from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led to chaos. Davis Schneider scored on the fielder's choice, and George Springer hustled home right behind him on a throwing error by pitcher Max Fried. The defensive miscues didn't stop there; a misplayed fly ball in the sixth allowed Ernie Clement to cruise into third with a triple, setting up Myles Straw for the go-ahead RBI double. It was a masterclass in capitalizing on an opponent's mistakes.
While the Yankees were fumbling the ball, Chris Bassitt was dealing. The veteran right-hander was a workhorse, delivering a season-high 7 1/3 innings of brilliant baseball. He racked up eight strikeouts while allowing just three hits and three earned runs, earning his fourth consecutive win and improving to 11-4 on the season. Bassitt's steady presence on the mound was the perfect antidote to the Yankees' chaotic defense and kept the game firmly in Toronto's control.
It wasn't just about taking what the Yankees gave them; the Jays' big bats also delivered crucial blows. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was a force all night, driving in two runs and scoring twice. But the exclamation point came from Bo Bichette, who blasted a two-run homer in the seventh inning off Scott Effross. The shot, his 15th of the year, provided the insurance runs that put the game on ice and sent the Rogers Centre crowd into a frenzy.
With the Yankees in the rearview mirror, the Blue Jays, now winners of 18 of their last 23 games, face another massive test. They head to Detroit for a four-game weekend series against the surprisingly competitive Tigers, who sit just a half-game behind them in the overall standings. The series kicks off Friday with lefty Eric Lauer taking the mound against Reese Olson in a matchup that could set the tone for another pivotal AL showdown.
