Blue Jays fall to Yankees in rubber game as Toronto's wild-card chances take a hit
CBC
The long ball proved costly for starter Robbie Ray and the Blue Jays on Thursday as the New York Yankees dealt a blow to Toronto's playoff chances while solidifying their own.
"They can hit. They've proven it all year," Ray said "It's a tough lineup from top to bottom. They're a good hitting team for sure."
Judge launched a mammoth solo shot in the opening frame and added another blast in New York's four-run sixth inning as the Yankees took the rubber game of the critical three-game series.
Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres, with a two-run homer, also went deep in the sixth off Ray. Brett Gardner added an insurance run with a solo shot in the ninth.
Closer Aroldis Chapman, New York's fourth reliever of the night, sealed the victory as the Yankees (91-68) won for the eighth time in nine games.
The Blue Jays (88-71) fell three games behind the Yankees but remained a game back of Boston for the second wild-card berth.
The Red Sox dropped a 6-2 decision in Baltimore to fall into a tie with the idle Seattle Mariners at 89-70.