First priority for the Yankees last night: Win, and clinch the American League Eastern Division. Second priority: A 61st home run for Aaron Judge. They didn't get either one.
Luis Severino started, and had trouble, pitching only 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. The bullpen was strong, however: Between them, Lou Trivino, Scott Effross, Ron Marinaccio, Jonathan Loáisiga and Clay Holmes went 5 scoreless innings.
But the bats went quiet again. The Yankees got right to it: Judge led off the game with a single, followed by a double by Anthony Rizzo and a sacrifice fly by Gleyber Torres. In the 2nd inning, Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a home run, his 4th of the season. But, after that, from innings 2 through 10, they got just 3 singles, 3 walks, and a hit batsman.
Judge drew an unofficially unintentional walk in the 3rd, struck out in the 6th, struck out again in the 8th, and was officially intentionally walked in the 10th. That loaded the bases, and set up the play at any base, and Rizzo grounded out.
Clarke Schmidt was brought in to pitch the bottom of the 10th, with Cavan Biggio on 2nd base as the ghost runner. He had 3 tough batters to start the inning. He struck George Springer out, and got Bo Bichette, son of Dante Bichette, to fly out. But Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled Biggio, son of Craig Biggio, home.
Blue Jays 3, Yankees 2. WP: Tim Mayza (8-0). No save. LP: Schmidt (5-5).
The Yankees' Magic Number to clinch the AL East remains 2. They can still clinch the Division with a win in either of the 2 remaining games of the series. Tonight, Jameson Taillon starts against José Berríos. Let's get both the clincher and the 61st homer over with tonight!