Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a grand slam, Daulton Varsho hit two of Toronto’s five homers and Trey Yesavage was masterful in his fourth career big-league start as the Blue Jays defeated the visiting New York Yankees 13-7 on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series.
Ernie Clement and George Springer also homered for the Blue Jays, who can sweep the best-of-five series with a win Tuesday, a 8:08 p.m. ET start at Yankee Stadium.
Toronto pasted New York 10-1 in Game 1 on Saturday.
Yesavage (1-0) had 11 strikeouts and one walk over 5 1/3 no-hit and scoreless innings. With the rookie’s pitch count at 78, he was pulled by manager John Schneider and left to a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 44,764 at Rogers Centre.
Yesavage set a franchise post-season rookie record with his sixth strikeout of the game. He set a team playoff record in the fourth inning when he fanned his 10th batter.
The combined no-hit bid ended in the sixth inning when Aaron Judge hit an infield single off reliever Justin Bruihl. Cody Bellinger followed with a two-run homer.
Yankees star left-hander Max Fried (0-1) was tagged for seven earned runs over three-plus innings. New York chipped into Toronto’s lead with a five-run seventh.
After launching his 415-foot homer, Guerrero Jr. stood in the batter’s box for a couple of seconds to admire the no-doubt blast before trotting around the bases. It was the first post-season grand slam in franchise history.
With unseasonably warm conditions in Toronto for a second straight day, Rogers Centre’s roof was open for the mid-afternoon start.
If necessary, Game 4 would be played in New York on Wednesday. If the series goes the distance, Toronto would host Game 5 on Friday.
The series winner will advance to the AL Championship Series against the winner of the other ALDS between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers.
The Blue Jays’ last playoff series win came in 2016 when they reached the ALCS for a second straight year. Toronto’s last World Series win came in 1993.
Toronto right-hander Shane Bieber is scheduled to start Game 3 against left-hander Carlos Rodon.
