Urshela, streaking Yankees outslug Bichette, Blue Jays

TORONTO — Blue Jays rookie Bo Bichette had fitting competition during a record-setting first game in Toronto — a Yankees lineup led by a player plenty familiar with Rogers Centre.

Gio Urshela hit two home runs for the second straight game as New York outslugged Bichette and the Blue Jays 12-6 Thursday to extend its win streak to a season-best nine games.

The Yankees have hit a record 19 homers over their past four games, including at least five in each win during a threegame sweep at Baltimore this week.

Urshela hit two-run homers in the first and third innings, his 15th and 16th of the season, and Mike Tauchman also had a two-run shot in New York’s six-run third.

Urshela’s homer barrage comes almost exactly a year after the Yankees purchased him from the Blue Jays.

“They’ve been impact players for us,” manager Aaron Boone said of Urshela and Tauchman. “They do it on both sides of the ball.”

Playing at home for the first time, Bichette became the first major league player to double in nine consecutive games. He also homered, giving him an unprecedented 13 extra-base hits in his first 11 games. Bichette is the first rookie to have an extra-base hit in nine straight games since Ted Williams in 1939.

“When I hit the homer,” Bichette said, “that was the first chills moment I’ve had in the big leagues so far.”

Bichette’s 11 game-hitting streak to start his career is the longest by a Blue Jays player. “We’re watching history,” manager Charlie Montoyo said.

The Yankees have homered in 12 consecutive games, hitting two or more in a season-high seven straight. New York is an American League-best 51-7 when hitting two or more homers this season.

Urshela hit .233 with one homer in 19 games with Toronto last season before being demoted to the minors in early July. He was sold to New York on Aug. 4.

“That’s a big change for my career, coming to the Yankees from the Blue Jays,” said Urshela, who has homered in three straight games for the first time. “I feel good to be here now.”

Fred Thornhill The Associated Press Gio Urshela crosses home plate after hitting the second of his two two-run homers for the Yankees on Thursday in their 12-6 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.