Yesavage Bests Schlittler in “As Advertised” Pitching Duel

By John Nielsen

May 21, 2026

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In Game Three of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays edged the New York Yankees 2–1 Wednesday night before a crowd of 37,497 in a compelling AL East showdown. Both clubs endured a two-hour, 11-minute rain delay before the first pitch.

The victory improved third-place Toronto to 22–27, though the Blue Jays remain 11.5 games behind the surging Tampa Bay Rays. The second-place Yankees fell to 30–20, now four games off the division lead.

The much-anticipated matchup between two of the American League’s brightest young starters more than lived up to its advanced billing.

Toronto handed the ball to 22-year-old rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage (2–1), who delivered another dominant performance. Yesavage tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight without issuing a walk. The outing lowered his ERA to a microscopic 1.07 and further established him as one of baseball’s emerging stars.

Matching him nearly pitch-for-pitch was Yankee second-year starter Cam Schlittler (6–2). The 25-year-old right-hander was equally brilliant through six innings before finally yielding in the seventh.

Through the first six innings, combined, the two young aces allowed only eight hits while striking out 15 without a walk. It was elite power pitching —every bit the marquee matchup fans hoped to see.

The game finally turned in the top of the seventh.

Toronto’s Ernie Clement opened the inning with a 50-foot squibber down the third-base line that he beat out for an infield single. Schlittler then issued the game’s first walk to Jesús Sánchez, who had already collected two hits on the night.

With switch-hitting catcher Brandon Valenzuela batting left-handed and clearly showing bunt, Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt aggressively charged toward home plate. The strategy backfired.

Valenzuela deadened a bunt just 15 feet down the third-base line, and Goldschmidt and catcher Austin Wells converged simultaneously, knocking the ball loose as each attempted to field it. The misplay allowed Valenzuela to reach safely (generously credited with a single) and loaded the bases with nobody out.

The contest’s pivotal moment followed in a dramatic 11-pitch showdown between Schlittler and Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez.

Schlittler emptied the tank, repeatedly firing 98-to-100 mph fastballs while Giménez stubbornly fouled pitch after pitch away. On the 11th pitch of the at-bat, with a full count, home plate umpire Brock Ballou ruled a fastball low for ball four, forcing home the game’s first run.

Austin Wells challenged the call but replay upheld Ballou’s ruling. Toronto led 1–0, and Schlittler’s night was over.

Jake Bird entered from the bullpen with the bases loaded and nobody out and did well to limit the damage. Toronto managed only one additional run on a sacrifice fly by Pedro Guerrero Jr., extending the lead to 2–0. It was perhaps Bird’s sharpest outing of the season.

The Yankees threatened in the ninth, finally breaking through on a Paul Goldschmidt groundout that scored Cody Bellinger while moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. into scoring position as the potential tying run with two outs. But Blue Jays closer Louis Varland finished the job by striking out Amed Rosario on a high fastball, earning his sixth save of the season.

Game Notes:

• The two earned runs charged to Schlittler “ballooned” his ERA to 1.50 through 11 starts — further solidifying his status as the unquestioned ace of the Yankee rotation.

• Yankee reliever Yovanny Cruz, after eight years grinding through the minor leagues, made an impressive Major League debut by tossing two scoreless innings, striking out three while throwing 13 strikes on just 15 pitches.

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. collected three hits, raising his batting average to a suddenly respectable .244.

• Aaron Judge struck out in all four of his plate appearances.

• Trent Grisham exited in the fourth inning after legging out a double and appearing to injure his knee. Further evaluation is expected before Thursday’s game, but the injury could open the door for Spencer Jones to receive an extended run starting in center field.

• The Yankees confirmed that Gerrit Cole will make his first MLB start of 2026 on Friday night when New York opens a crucial series against first-place Tampa Bay.

  
  

The series concludes Thursday night (7 p.m., YES), with Carlos Rodón (0–1, 5.63 ERA) scheduled to face Blue Jays spot starter Spencer Miles (1–0, 2.55 ERA).