Springer Powers Blue Jays Sweep as Toronto Seizes AL East Lead

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Updated Jul 4, 2025, 03:35 AM

The Toronto Blue Jays completed a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees with an 8-5 victory on Thursday night at Rogers Centre, vaulting to sole possession of first place in the American League East. Toronto improved to 49-38, one game clear of the Yankees (48-39) and two ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays, capping a run that has erased an eight-game deficit in just over five weeks.

George Springer provided the decisive blows in the finale, launching a pair of two-run homers—his 14th and 15th of the season—that put Toronto ahead 3-1 in the third inning and restored a three-run cushion in the eighth. The 35-year-old outfielder finished the four-game set 7-for-14 with four home runs and 11 RBI, including a Canada Day grand slam that powered a 12-5 win in Monday’s opener and a career-high seven RBI.

Right-hander Chris Bassitt (8-4) struck out nine over 5⅔ innings for the win, while Jeff Hoffman logged his 21st save. Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt left after three innings with right forearm tightness, and New York went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position, continuing a skid that has seen the club drop 14 of its last 20 games.

Toronto’s sweep was its first ever of the Yankees in a four-game series at home and only the third in franchise history. The Blue Jays have won 32 of their past 50 games by combining timely power, opportunistic baserunning and reliable late-inning relief. They will try to extend their division lead when the series resumes Friday, while the Yankees turn their attention to a weekend Subway Series against the Mets.

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#Toronto Blue Jays #New York Yankees #Rogers Centre #American League East #Toronto #Yankees #Tampa Bay Rays #George Springer #Canada Day #Chris Bassitt #Jeff Hoffman #Clarke Schmidt #New York #Blue Jays #Subway Series #Mets

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Sources

thestar.com(2)sportsnet.ca(2)theglobeandmail.com(2)torontosun.com(2)

New York Daily News

@NYDailyNews

Yankees suffer four-game sweep to Blue Jays, fall to second place in AL East

Toronto Star

@TorontoStar

Blue Jays vs. Yankees: More George Springer dingers and a four-game sweep of New York

Sportsnet

@Sportsnet

The Blue Jays continue to maximize the entirety of their roster, and are now in sole possession of first place in the AL East after a four-game sweep of the Yankees. (@ShiDavidi)