logo
Instant Reaction: Kevin Gausman’s strong start spoiled as Blue Jays fall late to Yankees
alt
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Aidan Sinclair
Jun 13, 2026, 18:30 EDTUpdated: Jun 13, 2026, 18:40 EDT
Comments
It was a low-scoring affair Saturday afternoon in Toronto. 
On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays took the first game of a three-game set with their division rivals. In the end, they out-scored the New York Yankees 8-5. Saturday’s game was a pitching duel, with the Blue Jays failing to score with runners in scoring position, and the Yankees mustering just one hit off Kevin Gausman. Let’s break down what happened in this ballgame!
Gausman was on the mound for the Blue Jays in this one, coming off two subpar starts to begin June where he allowed eight runs across 11 innings. Against the Bronx Bombers, he looked like the Jays’ ace once again, allowing just a single hit, a home run by Jasson Domínguez in the fourth inning. 
On the day Gausman finished with seven innings pitched, seven strikeouts, and just two walks across 105 pitches, lowering his season ERA to a respectable 3.41. He did absolutely everything he could to win this ballgame, but unfortunately, as has been the case many times in the past, the offence could not support the right-hander. 
Cam Schlittler took the ball for the Yankees, entering the game as arguably the best starting pitcher in the American League to this point. The Jays had him on the ropes multiple time, as he gave up four walks and six hits, but in the end, the Jays scored one run off of him in this game. That run came courtesy of Kazuma Okamoto, as he hit another home run after going up into the 500 level Friday night, for his 15th of the season. That lead was erased in the next half inning.
Tyler Rogers followed Gausman, entering the ball game in the top of the eighth inning and got himself into a first and third jam, before Charles McAdoo made a diving stop at first base to keep the game tied at 1-1. In the bottom half of the eighth with men on first and second, Ernie Clement was tasked with a sacrifice bunt that he was unsuccessful on, popping up for the first out of the inning. A strikeout and groundout killed the threat.
Louis Varland came into the game in the ninth, trying to keep the game tied at one apiece, but immediately surrendered a single to Cody Bellinger, before Paul Goldschmidt delivered the game-deciding swing. A knuckle curve that caught too much of the plate was sent over the left field wall, giving the Yankees a 3-1 lead. It was the first home run Varland has given up all year; his ERA rises to a still minuscule 0.96 on the season. 
Though the Blue Jays have found success against great starting pitching this season, à la beating Paul Skenes, Sandy Alcántara, and Chris Sale. Unfortunately, they could not get the big hit off Schlittler, racking up just six hits and going 1-10 with RISP. 
It will be Patrick Corbin on the mound Sunday afternoon, going up against Will Warren for the Yankees as the Blue Jays look to win a series and take the season series lead against the Yankees, currently sitting at a 3-3 tie. Game three flies at 1:37 pm EST, with what appears to be a higher scoring affair looming ahead. 
News
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News