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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays blow five-run lead as Yankees cut series lead in half
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Photo credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Oct 8, 2025, 05:30 EDTUpdated: Oct 8, 2025, 05:34 EDT
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So that wasn’t good.
On Tuesday evening, the Toronto Blue Jays played Game 3 of the American League Divisional Series, falling 9-6. With the win, the Yankees have cut the Blue Jays’ series lead to 2-1. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one.
Things actually started great for the Jays. After Davis Schneider earned a walk in the top of the first inning, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stepped up to the plate. On a 2-0 pitch, the Blue Jays’ first baseman sent the ball to the moon for an early 2-0.
In the bottom half of the first, the Yankees were able to cut the Jays’ lead in half, but then came the top of the third. Cody Bellinger failed to secure a catch, allowing Davis Schneider to come in to score. Ernie Clement was able to poke the ball through the infield, bringing in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and giving the Blue Jays two runners in scoring position. The inning was capped off by an Anthony Santander two-hit single, giving the Jays a 6-1 lead.
It was all the Yankees after that. Trent Grisham hit a lead-off double in the bottom of the third, and he was cashed in by a Cody Bellinger double. A sacrifice fly gave the Yankees their third run, but the Jays were able to exit the inning with a 6-3 lead.
They weren’t able to get out of the bottom of the fourth with the lead. Mason Fluharty struck out the first batter he faced, but Austin Wells reached on a pop-up that resulted in an error by Addison Barger. A walk and an Aaron Judge home run tied the game at six.
For the first time in the series, the Yankees took a lead as Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a home run in the bottom of the fifth. The Yankees scored another one that inning, as well as their ninth run in the following inning, for the 9-6 lead.

Takeaways…

Just like in their September series, the Blue Jays beat themselves. In September, it was due to failing to hit with runners in scoring position; on Tuesday, it was poor defence. In the first inning, Isiah Kiner-Falefa made an error that allowed a run to score. In the bottom of the fourth, Addison Barger missed a pop-up, which would’ve given the Jays two outs. Aaron Judge hit a home run, and it was over from there.
Shane Bieber didn’t have a great start, pitching just two and two-thirds innings with three runs (two earned) allowed. He left with the lead, but the bullpen didn’t do him any favours either, as Mason Fluharty gave up two runs (one earned) in two-thirds of an inning pitched. Louis Varland was tagged with the loss and blown save, giving up two earned runs in an inning of work.
Braydon Fisher and Brendon Little each pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up an earned run. Finally, the Jays’ bullpen stopped the bleeding, as Yariel Rodríguez and Tommy Nance pitched scoreless outings.
In terms of the offence, it went cold after the third inning. Ernie Clement was by far their best batter, going 4-4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit another home run and had two hits, while Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho, and Anthony Santander had one hit.
As bad as this looked, it’ll be fine. Yes, it’s a bullpen day, and yes, Cam Schlittler is a good pitcher. However, the last bullpen game the Jays had, the pen combined for a perfect game heading into the seventh inning in what was a key victory. As for Schlittler, his last start against the Blue Jays only saw him go an inning and two-thirds, giving up four earned runs.
It’ll be fine, and Game 4 is on Wednesday at 7:08 PM ET.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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