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Series Recap: Blue Jays finally lose series as they drop two of three to Yankees
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Photo credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Aug 24, 2026, 16:45 EDTUpdated: Aug 24, 2026, 16:43 EDT
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What a difference a weekend makes.
After taking two of three from the New York Yankees just one weekend ago, the opposite happened this past weekend for the Toronto Blue Jays. That’s bad news for the lone Canadian team, as they now sit a game and a half back of the final wild card spot.
On Friday, the Blue Jays fell 3-1 to the Yankees, but realistically, they beat themselves. In the bottom of the second, Spencer Arrighetti surrendered a two-run home run, then gave up another run in the bottom of the fourth. The Blue Jays’ lone run came in the top of the fifth, as the red-hot Alejandro Kirk hit an RBI single to make it 3-1.
It was a good start for Cam Schlittler on paper, going six innings with just one run allowed. However, the Blue Jays failed to capitalize on numerous chances to get the American League Cy Young favourite out of the game.
Three Blue Jays’ reached in the first, including the lead-off hitter, but a double play got the first two outs, then the Jays left two stranded. The Jays stranded two runners in both the third and fourth inning before finally getting on the board. A runner reached scoring position in seven of the nine innings, but the Jays went 1-14 with runners in scoring position.
They were slightly better with RISP on Saturday. They even drove a runner in from second, as George Springer hit an RBI single. Then in the top of the fourth, Charles McAdoo hit an RBI single with runners on the corner, with Nathan Lukes doing the same the following inning.
The Yankees made it a 3-1 game in the bottom of the seventh, but Lukes hit his eighth home run of the season in the eighth inning. That solo home run turned out to be vital, as the Yankees got to within one thanks to a two-run shot by Luis García Jr. Thankfully, Louis Varland picked up his 29th save of the season.
Despite Dylan Cease carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning, the Jays were lucky to win this one as they went 4-18 with runners in scoring position.
That brings us to Sunday’s rubber match. With the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians winning their series finale on Sunday, the Jays needed to win to stay a half game behind the two teams. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so as they fell 8-3.
The Yankees scored twice in the bottom of the second, but the Jays rallied with one-run innings in the third and fourth. Tied at two entering the bottom of the sixth, the Jays opted to keep José Soriano in the game, which didn’t end well as he departed the game with the bases loaded and no outs.
Braydon Fisher got the first two batters, but gave up a bases loaded walk to make it 3-2. Mason Fluharty entered the game, giving up a single that scored two more runs. Brendon Little pitched the bottom of the sixth, giving up a two-run blast, and the two teams exchanged runs in the eighth.
The good news is that the Blue Jays have one of the easiest schedules from here on out. Since the trade deadline, they are 12-8, facing no one except for playoff teams. They’ll return home to host the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, which marks the beginning of 30 consecutive games against teams with a record below .500 as of Monday.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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