About Last Night: Blue Jays 8, Yankees 5

About Last Night: Blue Jays 8, Yankees 5

By Tamar Chalker

July 4, 2025

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The Yankees needed a win last night to hold onto first place in the AL East and avoid a four-game sweep in Toronto. Unfortunately, despite multiple opportunities, the Yankees fell short again and lost 8-5. Clarke Schmidt struggled and was pulled after the third, with New York down 3-1, due to tightness in his right forearm. Behind a stellar performance at the plate by Jasson Dominguez, the Yankees got close but couldn't get a lead. 

Quick Stats -

Clarke Schmidt - After three innings, Schmidt had given up three runs on four hits and two walks. 

Chris Bassitt - Bassitt picked up the win, going 5.2 innings and holding the Yankees to three runs on eight hits, three walks, and nine Ks. He threw 113 pitches.

Clayton Beeter - Making his first appearance in 2025, Beeter went 1.2 innings and gave up three runs on three hits and two walks. He got the loss.

Player(s) of the Game - 

Jasson Dominguez had a fantastic night at the plate. He went 4-5 with a run scored. He was a homer short of the cycle and had a stolen base. 

Notable Performances - 

Clay Bellinger went 2-5 with a run scored. 

Trent Grisham had the Yankees' lone homer. 

Jonathan Loáisiga and Mark Leiter, Jr. both put together some solid work in relief. Loáisiga went 1.1 i.p. and allowed just one hit while striking out two. 

Better to Forget -

Clayton Beeter had a rough outing and took the loss, but Luke Weaver gave up a homer to George Springer in the eighth that more or less sealed the Toronto victory.

Clutch hitting was not the Yankees' strong suit again. They went 2-14 with runners in scoring position, leaving 12 on base. 

My Take -

This was a disappointing game after a tough week, so here are my thoughts in no particular order.

• While the Yankees' offense squandered many chances to take control of the game, the pitching gave it up whenever the momentum felt like it was turning. After the Yankees tied the game in the top of the fourth, Beeter promptly gave the lead back to Toronto. 

• It was a great night for Dominguez, but the Yankees weren't able to capitalize on it. He scored one run and didn't get an RBI, despite having four of the Yankees' 12 hits. 

• I hope Schmidt's forearm loosens up because the Yankees need him.

• Who had the Blue Jays on top of the AL East halfway through the season? To their credit, their bats were on fire the whole series. They scored 36 runs over the four-game set, while the Yankees' bats scored 23. 

Next Up - 

The Yankees head back to New York to take on the Mets this afternoon. Marcus Stroman will take the ball for the Yankees. He is coming off his first start since coming back from injury and put together a pretty decent start, picking up his first win. As I am writing this, the Mets haven't announced their starter. First pitch is at 3:10 pm at Citi Field.