Juan Soto hit a three-run home run, and Gleyber Torres added a two-run homer as he returned to the lineup. The New York Yankees broke their worst losing streak of the season with a convincing 16-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.
Aaron Judge contributed three hits and drove in two runs for the Yankees, who amassed 18 hits and scored their highest run total of the season.
“It’s always special to have a night like that,” Soto commented. New York scored seven runs on eight hits against two Toronto pitchers in the ninth inning. Yankees designated hitter Jahmai Jones recorded two of his three hits during that decisive inning.
Torres, going 2 for 4 with three RBIs, bounced back after being sidelined by manager Aaron Boone in the previous two games.
“Hopefully this is a positive step for him,” Boone remarked. Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman expressed frustration, yelling at second baseman Torres when a potential double play didn’t materialize in the fifth inning, leading to a run for Toronto.
“It was disappointing,” Stroman admitted. “I felt like I made a good pitch. It was a crucial moment. I really wanted to turn that play and we didn’t.”
Stroman said he spoke with Torres afterward to resolve any tension and also acknowledged his emotional response on social media. Boone downplayed any potential divisiveness from Stroman’s outburst.
“There’s no doubt about Stro’s commitment and focus,” Boone assured. “In competitive moments, emotions can sometimes spill over. There are no issues in our clubhouse.”
Stroman was the first to congratulate Torres when he hit his home run in the sixth inning. “He’s always been supportive of everyone,” Torres noted.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit solo home runs for the Blue Jays, who saw their two-game winning streak come to an end.
Toronto’s George Springer contributed with an RBI single in the first inning and drove in another run in the fifth after being hit on the left hand by Michael Tonkin with the bases loaded. Davis Schneider pinch-hit for Springer in the seventh inning. The Blue Jays confirmed that Springer did not sustain a fracture.
