TORONTO — The Yankees were counting on Juan Soto again, but they delivered another lackluster performance without him Saturday afternoon.
The Yankees were brought back to reality with a 9-3 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre a day after Soto starred in a game in which he scored a season-high 16 runs. Meanwhile, the Yankees right fielder underwent X-rays that showed no abnormalities on his bruised right hand.
Soto, who was removed from the starting lineup shortly after the game began, returned to the dugout midway through the game and could only watch as the Yankees (53-32) were held in check by Chris Bassitt (even after straining his forearm on Aaron Judge’s 101.6 mph liner in the first inning) and the Blue Jays’ relief pitchers.
“With bold action [Bassitt] “Go out there and fight like that,” said Nestor Cortes, who wasn’t particularly sharp, giving up three runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Cortes left the game with the Yankees down 3-1, but the Blue Jays (38-44) came back against their relief pitchers in the sixth inning.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (3-for-5, 6 RBIs) did the most damage, while Isaiah Kiner-Falefa (4-for-5, 3 runs) led the onslaught against his former team, and the Yankees were outplayed once again.
They had never allowed more than eight points in their first 65 games, but have allowed eight or more points seven times in their last 20 games and four times in their last five.
“They’re batting well right now, but I just couldn’t put the pressure on them better in the first innings,” Cortes said. “I think I could have been a little more focused. I was a little off and not at my best today. I think I could have been more focused and pitched with more urgency.”
Bassitt held the Yankees to one earned run over six innings before Austin Wells gave up a two-run homer off reliever Jose Cuas in the ninth.
The Yankees have lost for the 10th time in their last 13 games and will look to split a four-game series on Sunday to avoid a five-game losing streak.
The Yankees have now lost the first run in 10 straight games.
The team had chances to score in the top of the first inning, including a liner by Judge that left a large welt on Bassitt’s right forearm.
But Soto’s No. 2 hitter, Ben Rice, attempted to steal second base with Gleyber Torres at home plate to end the inning, but was out at third.
In the bottom of the inning, Guerrero struck out Cortes for a two-run homer, his third in two games of the series.
Rice hit a double with two outs in the third inning, the first extra base hit of his major league career, but the Blue Jays responded by intentionally walking Judge.
The strategy worked perfectly, as Bassitt ended the threat by getting Alex Verdugo to pop out, leaving two of the Yankees’ six runners on base Saturday and finishing just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
“At the plate, we took advantage of our opportunities tonight,” manager Aaron Boone said, “It wasn’t a shutout. … Bassitt is great at making pitches when he needs to, and while we didn’t break through in that regard today, we got the better of him.”
The Yankees were in grave danger again in the top of the fifth when Anthony Volpe twisted his right leg at first base while trying to chase down a ground ball.
The ball was high and Volpe reached it safely. He remained in the game after being treated by Boone and trainers.
“I think he’ll be OK,” Boone said.
Volpe eventually scored on Judge’s single to center field to make it 3-1.
But the Yankees would never get any closer. Phil Bickford loaded the bases in the sixth inning, and then Guerrero hit a three-run double off Caleb Ferguson to give the Blue Jays an 8-1 lead.
“when [Guerrero] “He’s doing well. He’s one of the best hitters in the league,” Cortes said. “We’ve got to do a better job of containing him.”
