Bronx, NY— Spencer Jones delivered the big blow early, while Cam Schlittler battled through six innings without his best command as the New York Yankees extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night before 45,062 fans.
Schlittler improved to 11-6, limiting Toronto to one earned run on six hits over six innings. Although the right-hander didn’t have his best stuff, he repeatedly found a way to make the crucial pitch when he needed it most. He worked through traffic throughout the night but avoided the big inning, allowing one run or fewer for the 19th time this season.
The Yankees gave Schlittler an early cushion in the second inning.
Trent Grisham began the frame with a walk before Jones unloaded on a 2-1 curveball from Spencer Arrighetti. The rookie’s towering drive sailed toward right field, staying fair as it cleared the foul pole and landed roughly halfway up the second deck.
Jones watched the ball’s flight before beginning his trot around the bases. Toronto manager John Schneider challenged the ruling, but after a brief replay review, the home run was upheld and New York took a 2-0 advantage.
The blast was Jones’ seventh of the season and marked his second consecutive game with a home run. He previously homered in back-to-back games at Wrigley Field on July 31 and Aug. 1.
New York added another run in the fourth when José Caballero lifted a sacrifice fly, extending the Yankees’ advantage to 3-0.
Toronto finally broke through in the fifth. Alejandro Kirk delivered an RBI single to put the Blue Jays on the board and extend his hitting streak to 10 games.
But Schlittler refused to let the inning unravel.
The rookie right-hander spent much of his outing pitching with runners aboard. He struck out Jesús Sánchez with two runners on to end the third, retired Myles Straw with two men on in the fourth and induced an inning-ending double play in the fifth.
That ability to execute in key moments allowed Schlittler to escape several dangerous situations despite not having his sharpest arsenal.
The Yankees’ bullpen handled the final three innings.
Brent Headrick struck out pinch-hitter George Springer with a runner on third to close out the seventh, and David Bednar finished the game for his 30th save in 33 opportunities.
Toronto used Mason Fluharty as an opener, with the left-hander facing four batters before giving way to Arrighetti.
Arrighetti, making his Toronto debut, was charged with three runs over 3 1/3 innings and fell to 7-6.
The victory improved New York to 9-4 over its last 13 games and moved the Yankees to within three games of Tampa Bay for the top spot in the American League East.
For New York, it was another win built around timely hitting, pitching under pressure and a rookie coming through with a massive swing.
Up Next:
Toronto right-hander Dylan Cease (7-5, 2.42 ERA) is scheduled to face Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers (5-7, 3.56 ERA) on Saturday.
