Paul Goldschmidt delivered the game’s biggest swing, crushing a go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift the New York Yankees to a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon in Toronto. The win improved New York to 42-27, while Toronto fell to 34-37.
For eight innings, the Yankees struggled to solve Toronto pitching and managed just three hits. That changed in the ninth when Goldschmidt launched a Louis Varland offering over the fence for his ninth homer of the season, turning a tie game into a Yankees lead and rescuing an otherwise quiet afternoon offensively.
Jasson Dominguez provided New York’s only offense before the ninth. Activated from the injured list earlier in the day, the outfielder made an immediate impact by drilling a solo home run off Kevin Gausman in the fourth inning to even the score at 1-1. Dominguez finished 1-for-4 in his first game since May 7.
Cam Schlittler continued his impressive rookie campaign despite frequent traffic on the bases. The right-hander scattered six hits and four walks across seven innings, allowing only a solo homer while striking out seven. He escaped multiple jams, including a bases-loaded threat in the second and another scoring opportunity in the fourth.
Toronto received a strong outing from Gausman, who surrendered only Dominguez’s homer while striking out seven over seven innings. The Yankees bullpen preserved the tie before David Bednar struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth to earn his 14th save.
The Yankees and Blue Jays conclude their three-game series Sunday at 1:37 p.m. Will Warren (7-1, 3.41 ERA) is scheduled to start for New York against Toronto left-hander Patrick Corbin (2-3, 4.55 ERA).
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].