Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had six RBIs with a two-run homer, a three-run double and a single and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting New York Yankees 9-3 on Saturday afternoon.
Former Yankee Isiah Kiner-Falefa had four hits and an RBI to extend his hit streak to 13 games and help Toronto take a 2-1 lead in the four-game series.
Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and threw out two runners trying to steal.
Austin Wells hit a two-run homer for New York.
Toronto right-hander Chris Bassitt (7-6) allowed one unearned run, six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings.
New York left-hander Nestor Cortes (4-7) allowed three runs, seven hits and one walk while striking out five in 4 1/3 innings.
Bassitt stayed in the game despite taking Aaron Judge’s 102 mph line-drive single off his right forearm in the first inning.
Kiner-Falefa singled in the first inning and Guerrero followed with a drive to right center for his 13th homer of the season and third of the series. It was his sixth homer in eight games.
Toronto took a 3-0 lead in the fourth. Justin Turner doubled, George Springer walked and Kirk doubled, bringing in Turner. The inning ended when Ernie Clement lined into a double play.
New York scored once in the fifth. Anthony Volpe reached second base on a grounder to third when third baseman Clement threw wildly to first. Volpe scored on Judge’s two-out single.
Springer doubled in the home sixth against Phil Bickford. He took third when pinch hitter Daulton Varsho singled and scored on Kirk’s single. Bo Bichette walked and Kiner-Falefa hit an RBI single. Caleb Ferguson replaced Bickford and Guerrero bounced a three-run double past third base.
Brendon Little replaced Bassitt in the seventh and pitched a perfect 1 2/3 innings.
Kiner-Falefa doubled and scored on Guerrero’s single in the eighth against Clay Holmes.
Jose Cuas allowed a single by Gleyber Torres and the third homer of the season by Wells in the ninth.
Outfielder Juan Soto (bruised right hand) was a late scratch from New York’s lineup and was replaced by Oswaldo Cabrera in right field. Soto was hurt on a slide at home plate in the fourth inning of the Yankees’ 16-5 win over the Blue Jays.
Toronto designated left-hander Tim Mayza for assignment on Saturday and recalled right-hander Cuas from Triple-A Buffalo.
–Field Level Media