Achi news desk-
TORONTO – Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi struck out nine in his six solid innings, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s two-run single in the fourth propelled the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
Kikuchi (1-1) gave up a three-run cushion for the Blue Jays (10-8) after giving up just a run on four hits and a walk for Toronto’s fourth win of the season.
The Yankees (12-6) lost their third straight before 31,175 at the Rogers Center.
With the game completely locked at 1-1, Guerrero was able to score two singles out of the field and into center field to score Ernie Clement and Dauton Varsho. Guerrero went 2-for-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.
Related Videos
The Yankees ended the seventh inning of reliever Trevor Richards, which included a run-scoring double by Alex Verdugo and a sacrifice fly by Oswaldo Cabrera.
The email you need for the day’s top news stories from Canada and around the world.
Toronto reliever Yimi Garcia enjoyed a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Canadian shortstop Jordan Romano had a rocky ninth but earned his first save of the year. Torres struck out and gave up a one-out double to Verdugo. Romano then cheated two outs with the first grounder scoring Torres.
The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on catcher Jose Trevino’s single to left field, scoring Giancarlo Stanton from second. Davis Schneider’s throw was in time and on target, but catcher Danny Jansen mishandled the ball. Jansen was making his first start in 2024 after suffering a wrist injury during spring training.
Schneider made another defensive play in the sixth inning with a diving catch down the left field line.
The Blue Jays tied it on Justin Turner’s sacrifice fly and scored Dauton Varsho after his leadoff double in the third inning. Yankees starter Carlos Rodin lasted just four innings (1-1). In his 101-pitch effort, he gave up three runs on five hits, four walks, and five strikeouts.
PROMOTION BULL PEN
Before the game, the Blue Jays reinstated relievers Romano (right elbow inflammation) and Erik Swanson (right forearm inflammation) from the 15-day injured list.
Nate Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, and Mitch White was designated for assignment to make room for the veteran right-handed pitchers return.
ON DECK
Toronto concludes its nine-game homestand and three-game set against the Yankees with Wednesday’s matinee.
Kevin Gausman (0-2, 11.57) was scheduled to start against former Blue Jay Marcus Stroman (1-1, 2.12).
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on April 16, 2024.
& copy 2024 The Canadian Press
