Judge leads Yankees to 8-1 win over Blue Jays

TORONTO – What a difference a year can make for a Major League Baseball pitcher.

Aaron Judge’s two-run homer gave New York an early lead that the Yankees never relinquished in Sunday’s 8-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Kevin Gausman gave up seven runs on seven hits and five walks over 4 1/3 innings, dropping his record to 6-7.

“I think they had a good game plan against me and it was a tight strike zone as well. I don’t think it helped me at all,” Gausman said. “This is not typical of me.

“I pride myself on attacking and not giving up bases for free.”

Gausman’s numbers and 4.75 earned-run average are a stark contrast from last season, when he was named to the All-Star Game for the second time, led the American League with 237 strikeouts, had a 2.97 ERA and finished third in voting for the Cy Young Award, given to the AL’s top pitcher.

“The game has changed a lot in the last few years. I’ll say this,” Gausman said, referring to the pitch clock, PitchCom wireless communicators and the rules for retreat. “There are ways teams try to find a way to beat you, and you have to tie every knot you can.

“I had to change a few things and in that respect it worked out well for me, but obviously I still gave it seven rounds today. So not great.”

Justin Turner’s RBI single in the fourth inning was Toronto’s only run (38-45). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. he extended his hitting streak to six games with one in the first, but was hit by the ball in the third.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider pulled Guerrero in the sixth inning, but said X-rays came back negative and there was no sign of a break.

“I took them to where the game was,” Schneider said. “It was bugging him a little bit, so I didn’t want to make it worse.

“I hope he will be fully fit tomorrow and I expect that to be the case.”

Genesis Cabrera, Nate Pearson, Jose Cuas, Chad Green and Bowden Francis all came out of the Blue Jays bullpen.

DJ LeMahieu scored two more runs, scoring a single and a double, as New York (54-32) split the four-game series. Trent Grisham added a run double and Ben Rice had an RBI single.

Gerrit Cole (1-1) allowed one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. Last year’s Cy Young Award winner scored six runs and lowered his earned run average to 6.23 in just his second start of the season.

He said he made a conscious effort to improve his commanding ability between appearances.

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“It’s part of the preparation process,” said Cole, who began the season on the 60-day injured list in New York with inflammation and swelling in his elbow. “As you get stronger and get faster, you’re going to have to tinker here and there.

“I thought it was better today. It’s certainly not where it should be, but it’s definitely improved.

Michael Tonkin, Tim Hill and Josh Maciejewski combined to throw four scoreless innings for the Yankees.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER — Soto joined the Yankees lineup very late, joining the batting order six minutes before the first pitch. He missed Saturday’s 9-3 loss to the Blue Jays with a bruised right hand.

“I got a text from (Yankees manager Aaron Boone) at 1:19 p.m., and I think that’s what happened,” Schneider said at 1:37 p.m. “They told us a different lineup and then they changed it, but yeah, it was pretty late.

“Kevin was not impressed at all. We called there as soon as we found out. Nothing really bothers Kev when he’s getting ready.”

ON DECK – MLB rookie Yariel Rodriguez (0-2) starts the game as Toronto welcomes the Houston Astros on Canada Day matinee.

Francis will likely take over for the Blue Jays after Rodriguez, as the starter still has a limited pitch limit.

Hunter Brown (5-5) is scheduled to play in Houston’s only American League game on Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2024.

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