The $30 million toe in the water
The New York Yankees' four-game winning streak came to an end on Friday night, falling 8-5 to the Toronto Blue Jays at a sold-out Rogers Centre.
The loss was emblematic of the Yankees' struggles north of the border last season, when they went 1-6 here during the regular season and 0-2 in the AL Division Series.
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The Blue Jays struck first in the bottom of the first inning, with Alejandro Kirk driving in the first run with a double just beyond the reach of center fielder Trent Grisham.
Kazuma Okamoto followed and crushed a hanging slider into the upper deck in left field for a two-run homer, making it 3-0 .
Okamoto became only the 10th player in Blue Jays history to reach the 500 level, according to the team, though Statcast estimated the distance at 423 feet.
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The Yankees finally broke through against Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage in the fifth inning, with J.C. Escarra leading off the fifth with a double, ending a 0-for-26 hitless streak by Yankees catchers dating to May 30.
Paul Goldschmidt drove him in with a sacrifice fly, and Cody Bellinger followed with a two-run homer, his 10th of the season, cutting the deficit to 5-3 .
The Blue Jays answered in the bottom of the fifth, with Weathers being charged with another run , and reliever Jake Bird allowing an additional run, making it 7-3.
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The Yankees refused to quit, with Spencer Jones walking and Jose Caballero doubling, chasing Yesavage in the sixth.
Grisham then roped a two-run single off lefty Mason Fluharty, bringing the Yankees within 7-5.
The Yankees threatened again in the seventh, loading the bases, but Ryan McMahon flew out to end the inning.
Tehran's two-track response
The Blue Jays added an insurance run in the eighth when Clement blooped a double off Fernando Cruz, scoring Springer from first.
The loss overshadowed a strong offensive effort by the Yankees, who out-hit the Blue Jays 10-9 but stranded eight runners.
Weathers continued to struggle with the long ball, issuing three walks and striking out four.
Trent Grisham, one of the Yankees' hottest hitters, left the game in the sixth inning with an apparent injury after his key hit.
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