The New York Yankees let a late lead slip away after a costly defensive sequence in the sixth inning, falling 3-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at Rogers Centre. New York dropped to 68-54 while Toronto improved to 60-64.
Gerrit Cole worked through early trouble and kept the Yankees ahead despite Toronto putting runners on second and third with one out in the second. He escaped the jam by striking out Kazuma Okamoto before getting Jesus Sanchez to ground out.
Cole eventually finished six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five. Both runs came after a throwing error opened the door for Toronto in the sixth.
With two runners aboard and one out, Ryan McMahon started a potential double play by stepping on third, but Luis Garcia Jr. could not handle the throw at first. Garcia then tried to catch Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at third but threw the ball into left field with nobody covering the bag. Guerrero scored, and Alejandro Kirk followed with an RBI double.
Kirk later added a solo homer in the eighth off Bradley Hanner, who was making his major league debut.
New York’s offense provided little support. Trent Grisham supplied the only run with his 16th homer of the season in the sixth, but the Yankees finished with five hits, left four runners on base and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
Shane Bieber limited New York to one run over six innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out five.
The Yankees and Blue Jays continue their series Saturday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 3:07 p.m. Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.21 ERA) will start for New York, while Toronto has not announced its starter.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.