TORONTO — Rookie Trey Yesavage struck out 11 innings in 5 1/3 innings, setting a Blue Jays playoff record, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made his first postseason Grand Slam in team history, with Toronto defeating the New York Yankees 13-7 on Sunday to lead 2-0 in the ALDS.
Daulton Varsho hit two home runs on four extra hits, Ernie Clement and George Springer both hit home runs, with Toronto hitting double digits in the second straight hit (15) and runs.
The Blue Jays scored three home runs on Saturday’s 14 hits to win 10-1. In two games, they had more home runs (8) than strikeouts (7).
Varsho made 4 of 5 shots, scored two doubles, scored 4 points and scored 4 points. Guerrero made 3 of 5 shots and scored twice.
Cody Bellinger hit a home run and hit a three-pointer, Ben Rice hit two hits and two, but Toronto won the eighth victory in nine home games against New York. The Blue Jays have a 2-4 record in six games at Yankee Stadium, with the third game in the series on Tuesday night.
Jesavic (1-0) was selected by Toronto with the 20th overall pick in last year's amateur draft. The 22-year-old right-shot has advanced four levels in the minor league this season before joining the Blue Jays and sprinting a 1-0 record in three games in September.
“I’m happy for him,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “His journey this year is incredible.”
Jesavic broke Toronto's previous playoff strikeout record in less than four innings, namely, eight-inning strikeouts by Dave Steeb, David Price (twice) and Juan Guzman.
Jesavic, known for his excellent pointing fastball, set a Blue Jays record by strike out nine of the Rays batsmen in his debut on September 15. Eight of his 11 strikeouts on Sunday came from the segment. The other three use fastballs that reach 96 mph.
“I’m just doing what I feel comfortable with, splitting in the late count,” Jesavic said. “It happened that they were waving in front of a group of people, but they didn't hit the target and chased after them.”
Jesavic strikes out Trent Grisham with a single goal to start the game. He walked Aaron Judge on four balls, then slapped Bellinger and Rice to start a 12-game straight outing, ending with Jazz Chisholm making up for Guerrero’s platoon in the fifth inning.
Jesavic's response was to have Ryan McMahon appear and fan out his 11th strikeout for Anthony Volpe.
Jesavic strikes out six straight strikes in the third and fourth innings, with Walp, Austin Wells, Grisham, Judge, Bellinger and Rice retiring.
“We just didn’t find the answer to the split,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He is playing.”
Left-handed Justin Bruihl came on the court against Grisham after Yesavic threw 78 goals (48 of them were good). Schneider was ridiculed when he appeared to remove Jesavic with Toronto's 12-0 lead.
“I accept such booing every time,” Schneider said.
Then, 44,764 viewers cheered until Yesavage came out to finish his curtain call, and he raised his arms over his head at the top of the lounge steps.
Bruil knocked out Grisham with a rolling ball, and then Judge played an infield single, giving the first hit for New York. Bellinger then hit a home run.
Yankees left-handed pitcher Max Fried (0-1) lost 7 points and 8 hits in more than 3 innings. He lost seven points in 33 1/3 innings in five starts in September.
“Obviously, this is not his keenest,” Boone said.
After the Yankees' regular season defeat, Fried scored 11 wins and 1.82 in 16 starts, but once again suffered a difficult start in Toronto. He scored 0-1 in two regular season away games against the Blue Jays with an ERA of 6.35, sacking 10 points, 8 ERA, 5 walks and 9 hits, including 2 home runs.
Next
Toronto RHP Shane Bieber, Cleveland’s 2020 AFC Young champion, plans to start in Game 3 against Yankees LHP Carlos Rodón on Tuesday. Bieber started seven games after returning from elbow surgery in August, with a 4-2 record with an ERA of 3.57. Roden lost three-pointers and four hits in the second game against Boston in the wild card round, strucking out six times in six innings.
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