logo
Instant Reaction: Blue Jays ride Spencer Miles to series split with New York Yankees
alt
Photo credit: © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
May 22, 2026, 06:00 EDTUpdated: May 22, 2026, 07:10 EDT
Comments
The Toronto Blue Jays are starting to find success on their bullpen days. 
After winning last Saturday in Detroit with six relievers, the Blue Jays claimed the series finale in New York 2-0, using five relievers to ensure a series split in the Bronx, and return home after a 4-3 road trip.
Working as the bulk guy for his second straight outing, Blue Jays reliever Spencer Miles continued to build his case to become a member of the starting rotation. Miles posted a pitching line of 4 1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, turning in the longest outing of his MLB career to this point.
With the Blue Jays dealing with injuries to José Berríos, Shane Bieber, and Max Scherzer, plus with Eric Lauer recently being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miles has been consistently tasked with giving the Blue Jays length through May. Miles recorded a career-high six strikeouts and set a new high in pitches with 63. 
The right-hander’s last three outings have been dominant. Squaring off with the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, and Yankees, Miles has tossed 11 scoreless innings, allowing only six hits and striking out 13. The 25-year-old now holds a 1-0 record, a 2.17 ERA and 1.03 WHIP on the season, and has punched out 29 batters over 29 innings, all while taking on a bigger role on the Blue Jays’ 26-man roster. 
The Blue Jays turned to Braydon Fisher as the opener, and the right-hander rewarded manager John Schneider’s faith. Fisher tossed 1 1/3 scoreless frames, striking out Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Paul Goldschmidt, to open the game dominantly. 
Left-hander Adam Macko followed and picked up the first win of his MLB career. The 25-year-old went 1 1/3, allowing one hit and striking out two batters. Since being promoted from Triple-A Buffalo, Macko has tossed three scoreless innings and held opposing batters to a .182 average against. 
After Miles got the Blue Jays through the seventh, Tyler Rogers entered to begin the bottom of the eighth. The right-hander began the frame by uncharacteristically walking J.C. Escarra to flip the Yankees’ batting order and bring the game-tying run to the plate. After getting Ben Rice to lineout to Daulton Varsho on the first pitch of his at-bat, the ever-so dangerous Aaron Judge awaited. 
After falling behind 1-0 in the count, Rogers continued to attack Judge with sinkers away and got the three-time MVP to bounce a soft groundball to shortstop Andrés Giménez, who quickly tossed to Ernie Clement to begin a huge 6-4-3 double play, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finishing the play off on a pretty scoop at first base. 
With Blue Jays’ closer Louis Varland unavailable, after throwing 24 pitches during Wednesday night’s win, Schneider turned to former closer Jeff Hoffman. Hoffman was dominant, getting Cody Bellinger to lineout to Guerrero before retiring both Chisholm and Goldschmidt via the strikeout to pick up his fourth save of the 2026 season. While Hoffman still holds an ugly 5.32 ERA, the 33-year-old has missed bats at a high rate, striking out 37 hitters over his 22 innings pitched. 
While pitching was the story for the second straight win, the Blue Jays’ offence did enough to improve their record to 23-27. After Guerrero worked a one-out walk in the top of the first inning and stole second base, Daulton Varsho rolled a ball off the third base bag for a RBI double, continuing on the hot streak the 29-year-old has been on through his past 15 games. Over that stretch, Varsho has batted .364 with one home run and seven RBIs, continuing to work his way up the Blue Jays’ lineup. 
While one run would have held up on Thursday, designated George Springer gave the Blue Jays some breathing room in the top of the seventh. After Yankees manager Aaron Boone turned to hard-throwing right-hander Camilo Doval to face Springer, the 36-year-old made the decision look bad. Springer drove a hanging slider into the left field seats for his fourth home run of the year and raised his season average to .200. 
While the first 50 games of the 2026 season haven’t gone the way Springer would have liked, missing time with an injury and struggling while healthy, the 13-year MLB veteran still has the chance to make a major impact with the Blue Jays, jumbled up in a crowded American League. 
The Blue Jays will return home on Friday night to kick off the first game of a six-game homestand that will see both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins visit Rogers Centre. 
Former third overall pick from the 2021 draft, Bubba Chandler, will get the ball for the Pirates (26-24), while the Blue Jays will counter with Kevin Gausman. First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m. EST. 

CHECK OUT OFF THE ROSTER – NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEKDAY

Off The Roster is Toronto sports. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, this is the go-to morning conversation for everything happening in the 6ix – Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and everything in between. From breakout performances and questionable trades to throwback jerseys, viral moments, and the stories fans are actually talking about—it’s smart, sharp, and never scripted. Live weekday mornings on the Nation Network YouTube channel and available wherever you stream podcasts, the show delivers real opinions, real chemistry, and real Toronto energy. Missed an episode? Catch up anytime. Off The Roster—The new sound of the 6ix.
Editorials
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News