The Yankees' struggles with runners in scoring position continued, going 2-for-14 and leaving 12 on base, in an 8-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night for their fourth straight loss.
It's just the third time they have been swept by the Blue Jays in a four-game series (2003 and 2021) and first time ever in Toronto.
The Yankees (48-39) are now a game behind the Blue Jays (49-38) for first place in the AL East.
Here are the takeaways…
— Clarke Schmidt found himself in an early 1-0 hole as Addison Barger drove in George Springer (walk) from first base with a two-out double in the bottom of the first inning. He bounced back for a quick second inning, issuing just a two-out walk. The right-hander gave up a leadoff double to Nathan Lukes in the third and then Springer continued his hot stretch with a two-run homer to make it a 3-1 game — it was his third HR and ninth RBI of the series.
Schmidt let up another double to Barger but got a flyout and groundout to escape the third inning. He didn't head back out for the fourth inning, ending his night after 55 pitches, as Clayton Beeter replaced him on the mound. Overall, Schmidt allowed three runs on four hits with two walks and a strikeout. It was later announced that Schmidt left the game with right forearm tightness.
— The Yankees went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left three on base over the first two innings. Aaron Judge (hit by pitch) and Cody Bellinger (single) were left stranded as Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck out to end the top of the first inning. Jasson Domínguez led off the second inning with a single and advanced to second base after a balk by Chris Bassitt, but Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Oswald Peraza failed to drive in the run.
— Trent Grisham came through with a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the third inning. It's homer No. 16 on the year for the outfielder — one shy of his career-high of 17 HRs in 2022 with the Padres.
— The cold streak of hitting with RISP snapped in the fourth as Domínguez tripled with one out and scored on Volpe's single, cutting the Toronto lead to 3-2. Wells doubled to give the Yanks more scoring opportunities and Volpe scored from third on a wild pitch to tie it up at 3-3. That's all they could get across the plate, however, as Peraza and Ben Rice both struck out.
New York got another chance in the fifth after Judge walked and Domínguez singled and stole second, but Volpe popped out into foul territory to end the frame.
— Beeter's season debut didn't go as planned as he let up a two-run double to Lukes in the fourth and a solo homer to Barger in the fifth. The righty was pulled after 1.2 IP, allowing three runs to give the Blue Jays a 6-3 lead. Jonathan Loáisiga struck out Davis Schneider to end the fifth inning.
— New York rattled off three straight hits in the seventh from Judge, Bellinger, and Chisholm, whose double scored Judge to make it a two-run game. Volpe drove in another with a groundout as the Yanks trailed, 6-5. After Wells walked to give the team runners at the corners, Giancarlo Stanton pinch-hit for Peraza, but grounded out back to the pitcher to end the inning.
Judge was intentionally walked for a record fifth time in the series in the eighth with two outs and the move paid off as Bellinger struck out to end the inning. Judge now has 23 intentional walks on the year, tied with Mickey Mantle in 1957 for the most in a season in Yankees history.
Game MVP: George Springer
Barger had a good argument with two doubles and a homer, but Springer's second HR of the night (a two-run blast in the eighth) gives him the honor. He dominated the Yanks during the four-game series, going 8-for-14 with four home runs and 11 RBI.
Highlights
Trent Grisham ties the game with a solo shot! pic.twitter.com/pd9tiAeduA
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 3, 2025
Jasson Domínguez triples and Anthony Volpe brings him home! pic.twitter.com/cdCBaCAK5h
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 4, 2025
Anthony Volpe scores the tying run on a wild pitch! pic.twitter.com/P1F2bIhNjW
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 4, 2025
RBI double for Jazz Chisholm Jr.! pic.twitter.com/TUpT7QbkHu
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 4, 2025
What's next
The Yankees and head back to New York for a Fourth of July weekend Subway Series with the Mets on Friday at Citi Field. First pitch is at 3:10 p.m. on SNY.
Marcus Stroman (1-1, 8.16 ERA) takes on his former team. The Mets have yet to announce a starting pitcher.
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