Yankees rally late, but Jays hang on
NEW YORK — Miguel Andujar’s drive sailed into the seats for a grand slam, the crowd went crazy. But a furious rally quickly fizzled, and the questions remained for the New York Yankees.
CC Sabathia got clocked early and the Yankees, despite hitting four home runs during a late comeback, kept wobbling toward a playoff spot Saturday with an 8- 7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
“We have a group in there capable of turning this thing in a heartbeat,” manager Aaron Boone said, adding, “we’ve got to do better.”
New York began the day with a
11⁄ 2- game lead over Oakland for the top AL wild- card slot. The Yankees are just 6- 7 this month and 8- 10 over a longer stretch, and still don’t have injured slugger Aaron Judge back in the starting lineup. They were 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
“It’s just kind of getting everyone clicking,” Boone said. “I feel like we’re getting closer to that.”
Didi Gregorius hit a solo homer with the Yankees down 5- 0 in the sixth inning. It was 8- 1 in the seventh before Gregorius and Giancarlo Stanton went deep and Andujar launched his slam.
Randal Grichuk hit two homers and doubled, and Kevin Pillar also connected as Toronto ended a four- game losing streak. The Blue Jays exhausted their bullpen, using seven pitchers to hold on.
Sean Reid- Foley ( 2- 3) struck out 10, giving up singles in five shutout innings. He got even for getting hit hard at Yankee Stadium last month, when Stanton homered off him.
In the fifth, the 23- year- old rookie threw a high- and- tight, tailing fastball that tied up Stanton. The slugger started to swing and went around as he spun out of the way, winding up facefirst in the batter’s box, facing the backstop.
A frustrated Stanton slammed his right fist into the dirt — another punchout for Reid- Foley.
Reid- Foley said he didn’t see Stanton’s reaction.
“I actually didn’t. Actually, I completely missed my spot by about five feet, but I’ll take the out. Obviously, take the little victories,” he said
Ken Giles earned his 21st save, nine since being traded from Houston to Toronto. He struck out Gary Sanchez with a runner on second to finish the eighth and pitched a 1- 2- 3 ninth.