TORONTO – The Yankees are suddenly on a losing streak, and with it, they have dropped their first series of the season.
A late comeback attempt fell short as the Yankees lost their third straight game 5-4 to the Blue Jays, in the second game of the series at Rogers Centre.
Carlos Rodon needed 101 pitches to complete just four innings, making an already taxed bullpen take on extra work, while left-hander Yusei Kikuchi tossed six innings of one-run ball to become the second straight Blue Jays starter to quiet the Yankees (12-6).
Now, after starting the season by winning each of their first five series, the Yankees will try to avoid a sweep on Wednesday.
Once Kikuchi left the game with the Blue Jays (10-8) leading 5-1, the Yankees offense showed some signs of life.
In the seventh inning, Gleyber Torres walked and Alex Verdugo doubled, with both eventually coming around to score on a Jose Trevino groundout and Oswaldo Cabrera sacrifice fly that pulled the Yankees within 5-3.
They pushed across another run in the top of the ninth off closer Jordan Romano, but Oswaldo Cabrera grounded out to strand the tying run at third base.
Rodon only gave up three runs (while walking four and stranding six runners) but labored across four innings in his shortest outing of the season.
The Blue Jays put together at-bats of 12, 10 and (twice) eight pitches against him, with three of them ending with the batter (Bo Bichetter, George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) drawing a walk.
They also fouled off 27 pitches to help drive up his pitch count.
Luke Weaver replaced Rodon to start the fifth inning of a 3-1 game and gave up a pair of runs in the sixth.
He put runners on the corners with one out before being relieved by Nick Burdi.
During an at-bat by Springer, ex-Yankee Isiah Kiner-Falefa stole second, with Jose Trevino’s throw popping out of Gleyber Torres’ glove and trickling away, allowing Ernie Clement to score from third.
Two batters later, Bichette roped an RBI single to make it 5-1.