The New York Yankees (74-56) used a three-run sixth inning to break open a tie game and defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (64-68), 8-3, on Sunday at Yankee Stadium to clinch the three-game series.
The victory was the Yankees’ sixth in their last seven games and kept them within three games of the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the American League East entering the final week of August.
Carlos Rodón made his second start since returning from the injured list and continued to build toward a larger workload after missing time with left elbow inflammation. The left-hander threw 76 pitches over four innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits while walking two and striking out two.
New York gave Rodón an early lead in the second inning. Spencer Jones opened the scoring with an RBI double before Austin Wells followed with another run-scoring double to put the Yankees ahead, 2-0.
Toronto later pulled even, but the Yankees seized control in the sixth. Jones singled to help start the inning, and New York loaded the bases with two outs. Trent Grisham worked a full-count walk to give the Yankees the lead before Ben Rice followed with a two-run double, turning a tight game into a 5-2 advantage.
The Yankees continued to add on. Cody Bellinger singled to begin the seventh before Jazz Chisholm Jr. connected for a two-run home run with two outs, extending the lead to 7-2. Grisham added his 18th home run of the season in the eighth.
Rice finished with two hits and two runs batted in, while Jones collected two hits, an RBI and a walk.
The Yankees are off Monday before opening a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with Will Warren expected to start for New York.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.