Blue Jays edge Yankees 3-1 as Guerrero Jr. departs with injury

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 3-1 on Friday night, securing a victory driven by timely hitting from Alejandro Kirk and a strong pitching performance from Shane Bieber. The win improves Bieber’s record to 4-2, marking his fourth success in his last six starts.

Kirk was instrumental in the offensive output, going 2 for 3 with a walk. He broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning with a two-out double off Yankees starter Gerrit Cole. Kirk added an insurance run in the eighth with a two-out home run off Bradley Hanner, his fifth of the season.

Bieber pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits. He has been particularly effective recently, holding a 3.48 ERA and a 4-1 record in his past six outings. The bullpen provided support, with Tyler Rogers recording four outs and Mason Fluharty retiring both batters he faced. Louis Varland closed the game for his 27th save in 28 chances.

The game was marred by an injury to Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the sixth inning. With the Blue Jays trailing 1-0, a chaotic play at third base resulted in Guerrero colliding with Yankees rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr.

The sequence began when George Springer hit a grounder to third baseman Ryan McMahon. After forcing out Nathan Lukes, McMahon threw to first baseman Luis García Jr., who missed the scoop. Guerrero broke for third, and García threw toward Lombard, who was attempting to reach the bag. Lombard’s left thigh struck Guerrero’s head as he tried to leap over the sliding runner. Charles McAdoo replaced Guerrero in the seventh inning.

Cole (6-6) pitched six innings for the Yankees, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits. He walked two and struck out five, snapping a streak of three consecutive winning starts. Yankees right-handed pitcher Cam Schlittler is scheduled to start on Saturday.