Blue Jays beat Yankees, win 5th straight behind Gausman gem

Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 6-1 for their fifth-straight victory.

Gausman (12-9) scattered only three hits, walking three batters across his six solid innings. He departed with the Blue Jays up 1-0 courtesy of a Bo Bichette infield single.

The Blue Jays would add two insurance runs in the top of the eighth inning with two bases-loaded walks. Singles from Bichette and Spencer Horwitz, who finished the game with a career-high three runs batted in, would expand the lead even more en route to the win.

Horwitz was a late addition to the lineup after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was scratched with knee discomfort. It’s unclear if Guerrero will be back on Thursday.

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Toronto’s relievers were once again impressive out of the bullpen. Former Yankees right-hander Chad Green needed 14 pitches to strike out two batters in a scoreless seventh, with Jordan Hicks and Erik Swanson shutting the door.

Yankees starter Michael King pitched a dominant game, going seven innings and scattering five hits, one earned run and striking out 13. He did not walk a batter.

It’s Toronto’s fifth-straight win as they maintain their place in the wild-card standings. Other teams in the mix, including the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros, all won on Wednesday night. The Blue Jays are now one game ahead of the Rangers and Mariners for the second wild-card spot.

The Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Los Angeles Angels but remain eight games ahead of the Blue Jays for the top spot in the AL wild-card.

The Blue Jays will hand the ball to José Berríos, who is coming off a seven-inning gem against the Boston Red Sox.

The Yankees will turn to ace and AL Cy Young favourite Gerrit Cole. First pitch goes at 7:05 p.m. ET live on Sportsnet.