Kikuchi, Guerrero lift Jays past Yanks

TORONTO — Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi struck out nine in his solid six innings, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s two-run single in the fourth pushed the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-4 win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

Kikuchi (1-1) provided the Blue Jays (10-8) with a three-run cushion after giving up only a run on four hits and a walk for Toronto’s season-high fourth win in a row.

The Yankees (12-6) lost their third straight before 31,175 at Rogers Centre.

With the game deadlocked at 1-1, Guerrero slammed a two-out single through the infield and into centre field to score Ernie Clement and Daulton Varsho. Guerrero went 2-for-3 with two walks.

The Blue Jays scored two more in the sixth inning on an error from New York second baseman Gleyber Torres and an RBI single from Bo Bichette.

The Yankees made it close with a two-run seventh inning off reliever Trevor Richards, which included a runscoring double from Alex Verdugo and a sacrifice fly from Oswaldo Cabrera.

Toronto reliever Yimi Garcia enjoyed a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Closer Jordan Romano had a rocky ninth but earned his first save of the year. He hit Torres and gave up a one-out double to Verdugo. Romano then coaxed two infield outs with the first grounder scoring Torres.

ROMANO, SWANSON ACTIVATED

The Jays activated Romano and fellow right-hander Erik Swanson off the 15-day injured list before Tuesday night’s game against the Yankees.

Romano had been sidelined since spring training with right elbow inflammation and Swanson with right forearm inflammation.

Toronto optioned right-hander Nate Pearson to Triple-A Buffalo. Righty Mitch White was designated for assignment.

Pearson was demoted despite not allowing a run in six appearances this season. Pearson has struck out nine and allowed four hits in 6 1/3 innings.