Blue Jays Storm Yankees 13-7, Yesavage Sets Record, One Win From ALCS

When Trey Yesavage, rookie pitcher of Toronto Blue Jays tossed 5 1/3 no‑hit innings on October 5, 2025, the crowd at Rogers Centre erupted into a deafening roar. The six‑run blitz that followed pushed the New York Yankees into a 13‑7 deficit, handing Toronto a 2‑0 lead in the American League Division SeriesToronto and putting them a single win away from the ALCS.

Why This Game Felt Like a Thunderstorm

It wasn’t just the raw numbers – eleven strikeouts, five home runs, and fifteen hits – that made the night memorable. It was the way each play seemed to amplify the next, like a chain reaction of fireworks. The first spark came when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched a towering grand slam, the first in Blue Jays postseason history. That lone swing cleared the foul pole, snapped a 3‑2 lead and turned the game into an outright blowout before the Yankees even had a chance to settle.

Following the slam, Daulton Varsho turned the night into his personal showcase. Going 4‑for‑5, he belted two homers, ripped two doubles, crossed the plate four times, and knocked in four runs. In short, Varsho did the impossible: he single‑handedly accounted for a third of Toronto’s runs.

Detailing the Offensive Avalanche

• Five home runs: Varsho (2), Guerrero Jr. (1), Ernie Clement (1), George Springer (1).
• 15 total hits, 8 of which were extra‑base.
• Toronto’s line‑up tallied 24 runs in the first two ALDS games, a franchise‑record pace.
• Yankees managed only three hits before a late‑game rally added five more.

Even when the Yankees tried to claw back, they only managed a five‑run inning that trimmed the lead to 13‑7. It was a respectable effort – Ben Rice ripped an RBI double, and Giancarlo Stanton drove in Aaron Judge and Rice – but the damage was already done.

How Yesavage’s Strikeout Record Stacks Up

Before the game, the Blue Jays’ postseason high was eight strikeouts, shared by legends like David Price and Dave Stieb. Yesavage shattered that mark with eleven, all while keeping hitters off the scoreboard for over five innings. The feat echoes the dominance of classics like Sandy Koufax’s 15‑strikeout, no‑run performance in the 1965 World Series, but it arrived on a modern, analytics‑driven mound where pitchers rarely go deep into games.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised the young arm, noting, “He’s got the poise of a veteran and the velocity of a future ace. Tonight he rewrote our postseason narrative.”

Reactions From Both Sides

Yankees skipper Aaron Boone kept his cool, acknowledging the depth of Toronto’s assault: “We gave ourselves a chance in the last inning, but you can’t make up for a 13‑run hole. Credit to the Blue Jays; they played a complete game.”

Back in Toronto, the city’s fans poured onto the streets, waving the blue and white flag while chanting “Let’s go Jays!” The buzz was palpable in downtown bars where patrons toasted “Yesavage’s 11 K’s” with beers and pretzels. Even rival fans admitted the Blue Jays were looking unstoppable at home – eight wins in the last nine home meetings against New York.

What This Means For The ALCS Picture

If Toronto clinches Game 3 in the Bronx, they’ll meet either the Detroit Tigers or the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS. Both opponents have shown late‑season resilience, but Toronto’s blend of elite pitching and power hitting could tilt the balance.

Meanwhile, the Yankees still have a chance to reset the series. They’ll need to rely on veterans like Cody Bellinger, who delivered a solo homer and three RBIs in this loss, and a revamped bullpen that can contain Yesavage’s fresh arm.

Key Takeaways

1. Blue Jays lead series 2‑0, one win away from ALCS.
2. Trey Yesavage set a franchise postseason strikeout record with 11.
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit the first Blue Jays postseason grand slam.
4. Daulton Varsho’s 4‑for‑5 night included two homers and four RBIs.
5. The Yankees’ late‑game rally fell short, highlighting Toronto’s early‑game dominance.