TORONTO — Shane Bieber threw six strong innings and Alejandro Kirk homered to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 3-1 win over the New York Yankees on Friday night at Rogers Centre.
Relievers Tyler Rogers and Mason Fluharty threw an inning apiece before Louis Varland came on to pick up his 27th save as Toronto (60-64) won for the fourth time in five games.
Trent Grisham hit a solo homer in the sixth inning for New York. The Blue Jays took advantage of some suspect defence in the bottom half of the frame to take the lead.
With two runners on, George Springer hit a chopper to Ryan McMahon, who stepped on third base for the force but made a low throw to first.
Luis Garcia Jr. couldn’t corral the ball and then threw to third base before shortstop George Lombard Jr. was in position. Lombard collided with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto slugger scored when the ball rolled into foul territory.
Springer then came across with the go-ahead run on a double by Kirk. Guerrero, who appeared to be shaken up, was removed from the game and replaced by Charles McAdoo.
Kirk tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning with a solo homer off Bradley Hanner.
Bieber (4-2) allowed four hits, a walk and one earned run in front of a sellout crowd of 42,816. He had five strikeouts.
Cole (6-6), also a former Cy Young Award winner, worked six innings and had five strikeouts. He gave up one earned run, five hits and two walks.
Aaron Boone was ejected by Vic Carapazza in the sixth inning after the New York skipper said something to the home-plate umpire from the dugout.
It was the opener of a six-game road trip for the Yankees (68-54), who have the second-best record in the American League behind East Division-leading Tampa Bay.
Toronto outhit New York 8-5. The Blue Jays entered play two games behind the Detroit Tigers in the race for the final AL wild-card spot. The Tigers lost to the visiting Chicago White Sox 9-5 on Friday.
TAKEAWAYS
Blue Jays: Guerrero winced after crossing home plate with Toronto’s first run and was briefly tended to by trainer Jose Ministral before walking to the dugout. Lombard’s left knee had made contact with the left side of Guerrero’s head, sending his helmet into the air.
Yankees: Poor baserunning helped snuff a potential rally in the third inning. Lombard overran second base after Grisham singled. A strong throw by right-fielder Nathan Lukes led to a rundown for the out.
KEY MOMENT
Kirk belted a first-pitch slider from Cole to the wall in left field to push across the go-ahead run.
KEY STAT
The Blue Jays have a 10-3 record — regular season and playoffs — against the Yankees at Rogers Centre since the start of last season.
UP NEXT
Right-hander Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.21 earned-run average) was tabbed to start for New York on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Jays did not immediately name a starter.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2026.
Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press
