Yankees hold off Blue Jays to improve to 7-2 

The New York Yankees jumped out to a big lead but barely held on for a 9-8 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night. 

New York (7-2) scored six runs in the first two innings and led 9-2 after six. However, after Clarke Schmidt failed to make it through the fifth, the Yankees had to go to their bullpen early, and they almost gave it away, allowing three runs in the seventh and three in the ninth, but Clay Holmes struck out George Springer with a runner on first to end the contest. 

Aaron Judge went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and reached base four times. Giancarlo Stanton collected three hits, including a solo shot. Anthony Rizzo also went deep, while Juan Soto had a pair of RBI singles. Gleyber Torres chipped in a double, a stolen base, and a sacrifice fly. 

Schmidt struggled with command, allowing two runs on six hits over 4.2 innings while walking three. Luke Weaver, who entered after Schmidt, gave up three runs across two frames but picked up his third win of the season. Ian Hamilton surrendered his first two runs of the season. 

Box Score

The Yankees will try to earn their third straight series win when they send Luis Gil to the mound for the rubber match on Sunday at 1:35 p.m.