Blue Jays continue ascent, top Yankees to tie for top spot in American League East
In their ascension to catch the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays (48-38) have taken the first three outings of a four-game set against the Bronx Bombers (48-38), including a wild 11-9 win on Wednesday.
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National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Blue Jays alone in first in AL East after exhilarating four-game sweep of New York Yankees
It's almost certain that there will be a time this season when the Blue Jays go through a lull in form — and as unlikely as it seems given the blissful recency bias — a losing streak. Article content But when it comes, what happened over the past four fantastical days at the Rogers Centre will carry fuel for the remainder of what is shaping up as a riveting summer of baseball in the city. Article content Article content Led by George Springer, the first superstar signed to build a winner in this iteration of the Jays, the good times are rolling and electrifying the downtown dome like it hasn't been in several seasons. Article content Springer banged out a pair of home runs on Thursday night — his team-leading 14th and 15th — to lead the Jays to a thrilling 8-5 victory over the New York Yankees, dusting off the former division leader in a four-game sweep. Article content And just like that, a Toronto team that trailed the Bronx Bombers by eight games at the end of May is all alone in first in the American League East. Article content Dial up your favourite superlative. Article content 'I think it's tough to play as consistently well as we have been, and there could be a natural letdown tomorrow, after a big four game series against the Yankees,' manager John Schneider said prior to what felt like the biggest four-game run of success in his time at the help. 'These guys have demonstrated time after time that they really don't give a (crap.) They've done it inning by inning, day by day, game by game. They're really good at moving on.' Article content Article content And moving on up, thanks to the current five-game winning streak that has been the talk of the baseball world and almost outrageous in its scope and impact. Article content Article content It has been an impressive rise for a Blue Jays team that has put aside a laggardly start and moved on to be one of the most prolific offensively as they've piled up wins. Their 23-10 record since May 28 is the best in the big leagues and it has paid off. Article content Article content In putting up eight runs on Thursday, the Jays improved to 36-3 when scoring five runs or more, the best record in the majors with that proviso. They finished off a four-game sweep of the Yankees for just the third time in franchise history but the first at home. And they did it with big-time performances around the diamond. Article content There was Springer belting out a two-run homer in the third and another two-run shot in the eighth to put up two precious insurance runs to bring the crowd of 36,848 to its feet. Springer's unlikely surge at age 35 has him easily on pace for the most homers in his Jays career, topping the 25 he hit in 2022. Article content There was Bam Bam Addison Barger with another homer and a pair of doubles, power that continues to play for the Jays. Barger now has 11 homers in 63 games, one fewer than Vlad Guerrero Jr., who has played 86.
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
Blue Jays alone in first in AL East after exhilarating four-game sweep of New York Yankees
Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer (4) celebrates his two-run home run against the New York Yankees during third inning at the Rogers Centre on Thursday. Springer hit two home runs in the big win. Photo by Thomas Skrlj / The Canadian Press It's almost certain that there will be a time this season when the Blue Jays go through a lull in form — and as unlikely as it seems given the blissful recency bias — a losing streak. But when it comes, what happened over the past four fantastical days at the Rogers Centre will carry fuel for the remainder of what is shaping up as a riveting summer of baseball in the city. Led by George Springer, the first superstar signed to build a winner in this iteration of the Jays, the good times are rolling and electrifying the downtown dome like it hasn't been in several seasons. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Springer banged out a pair of home runs on Thursday night — his team-leading 14th and 15th — to lead the Jays to a thrilling 8-5 victory over the New York Yankees, dusting off the former division leader in a four-game sweep. And just like that, a Toronto team that trailed the Bronx Bombers by eight games at the end of May is all alone in first in the American League East. Dial up your favourite superlative. 'I think it's tough to play as consistently well as we have been, and there could be a natural letdown tomorrow, after a big four game series against the Yankees,' manager John Schneider said prior to what felt like the biggest four-game run of success in his time at the help. 'These guys have demonstrated time after time that they really don't give a (crap.) They've done it inning by inning, day by day, game by game. They're really good at moving on.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And moving on up, thanks to the current five-game winning streak that has been the talk of the baseball world and almost outrageous in its scope and impact. It has been an impressive rise for a Blue Jays team that has put aside a laggardly start and moved on to be one of the most prolific offensively as they've piled up wins. Their 23-10 record since May 28 is the best in the big leagues and it has paid off. In putting up eight runs on Thursday, the Jays improved to 36-3 when scoring five runs or more, the best record in the majors with that proviso. They finished off a four-game sweep of the Yankees for just the third time in franchise history but the first at home. And they did it with big-time performances around the diamond. There was Springer belting out a two-run homer in the third and another two-run shot in the eighth to put up two precious insurance runs to bring the crowd of 36,848 to its feet. Springer's unlikely surge at age 35 has him easily on pace for the most homers in his Jays career, topping the 25 he hit in 2022. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There was Bam Bam Addison Barger with another homer and a pair of doubles, power that continues to play for the Jays. Barger now has 11 homers in 63 games, one fewer than Vlad Guerrero Jr., who has played 86. There was starter Chris Bassitt, who may not have had his best stuff but summoned the will to deliver 5.2 innings and 117 pitches on a day when the Toronto bullpen was desperately thin. Late in the game, there was lefty reliever Justin Bruihl in to face Cody Bellinger with the Jays leading 6-5, two out in eighth and Aaron Judge on first after being granted an intentional walk. Bruihl got the strikeout after falling behind 2-0. A series laced with drama had its latest unlikely moment. Earlier, there was Nathan Lukes who finished an epic 14-pitch at-bat in the fourth inning that scored a pair of runs to give the Jays a 5-3 lead. And then to finish things off closer Jeff Hoffman, making his fourth appearance in five days, finished it off with a scoreless ninth to earn the save. It was the type of performance Schneider has been getting from all over his lineup throughout the impressive stretch that has boosted their record to 49-38, a formidable season-best 11 games over .500. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That record doesn't guarantee anything, of course, but besides some confidence and believe, it affords an opportunity to breathe, a nice luxury to have just past the midway point of a 162-game season. 'It gives you a little bit of an ability to exhale and take a deep breath,' Schneider said of the mindset in an exhilarated clubhouse these days. 'What I love about this stretch is that there's so many things we can fall back on when you hit a rough patch and we'll get back on track. 'There's going to be another one or two tough parts in the year, that's just how it goes when you're playing every day. But we can do things a different way every night and I think that makes it sustainable.' rlongley@ Read More World Editorial Cartoons Movies Toronto & GTA Money News
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Springer stars as Blue Jays sweep Yankees to take first place in AL East
George Springer smacked a pair of two-run homers to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to an 8-5 win and a four-game series sweep over the New York Yankees on Thursday. Springer put Toronto ahead 3-1 in the third inning and expanded his team's lead to three runs in the eighth as the Blue Jays (49-38) took over first place in the American League East from the Yankees (48-39). The Blue Jays were eight games behind the Yankees on May 28. A dogged Nathan Lukes endured a 14-pitch at-bat to snap a tie with a two-run double in the fourth inning before 36,848 at Rogers Centre. Addison Barger added a solo homer in the fifth to go with two earlier doubles. Blue Jays' slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named American League all-star starter Toronto starter Chris Bassitt (8-4) struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits and three walks. The Yankees struck for two runs in the seventh to make it a one-run game. Springer walked with one out and scored on Addison Barger's double to left centre in the first inning. Trent Grisham tied the game in the third with his 12th homer. The Yankees tied the game in the bottom half on a run-producing single from Anthony Volpe and a Bassitt wild pitch that scored the Yankees shortstop. New York starter Clarke Schmidt left the game after three innings because of right forearm tightness. He gave up three runs on four hits and two walks with a strikeout. Jeff Hoffman earned his 21st save with a one-hit ninth.
