First Defeat of the Series: What Went Wrong, What Worked, and What's Next For the Yankees
August 23, 2025, Bronx, New York, USA: Aug 23, 2025 Bronx, New York, USA Yankees manager Aaron Boone visits the pitcherÃââ s mound when calling a new pitcher into the game at Yankee Stadium, and is joined by New York Yankees infielder Paul Goldschmidt 48, New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells 28, New York Yankees infielder Amed Rosario 14, New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe 11 and New York Yankees infielder Jose Caballero 72. Mandatory Credit: Bronx USA - ZUMAs325 20250823_zsp_s325_036 Copyright: xJessxStilesx
August 23, 2025, Bronx, New York, USA: Aug 23, 2025 Bronx, New York, USA Yankees manager Aaron Boone visits the pitcherÃââ s mound when calling a new pitcher into the game at Yankee Stadium, and is joined by New York Yankees infielder Paul Goldschmidt 48, New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells 28, New York Yankees infielder Amed Rosario 14, New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe 11 and New York Yankees infielder Jose Caballero 72. Mandatory Credit: Bronx USA - ZUMAs325 20250823_zsp_s325_036 Copyright: xJessxStilesx
The Blue Jays finally secured their first victory against the Yankees this season on a tough night when Yankees starter Cam Schlittler nearly shut down the Jays for six innings after a two-hour and 11-minute rain delay.
After a back-to-back comeback win, a 7-6 win in Game 1, and a 5-4 win in Game 2, the Yankees' offense stumbled to just one run for Game 3.
What's Gone Wrong for the Yankees?
The offense looked lifeless once again against Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage. Last season, in Game 2 of the 2025 ALDS, Yesavage threw 5 1/3 hitless innings with 11 strikeouts. And this time, he tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and zero walks while striking out eight batters.
May 20, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage (39) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
May 20, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage (39) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
He struck out Aaron Judge in all three of their meetings throughout the night. Ben Rice, who carried the offense for most of the night, was 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Cody Bellinger managed one hit in four at-bats and struck out once.
The rest of the lineup did not do much better. The Yankees had almost nothing going until the ninth inning, when Paul Goldschmidt finally knocked in their only run with a soft RBI grounder.
With that, they wasted another great start from Cam Schlittler. Over the first six innings, Schlittler was simply untouched. However, his brilliant night ended in a seventh-inning collapse.
After allowing a leadoff single to Ernie Clement and a walk to Jesús Sánchez, Schlittler surrendered a perfectly placed bunt single to catcher Brandon Valenzuela to load the bases. Then Andrés Giménez showed a grinder mentality, fouling off seven pitches before drawing an 11-pitch walk and forcing in the game's first run.
The Silver Lining For the Yankees
Center fielder Cody Bellinger reminded everyone why he is so valuable. In the top of the second inning, Bellinger made an incredible running catch near the warning track in left-center field. He robbed Yohendrick Piñango of extra bases. It was the kind of play that kept the game scoreless early on.
Most importantly, the Yankees unleashed a reliable new bullpen weapon in right-hander Yovanny Cruz. He called up recently after the team optioned Elmer Rodríguez to Triple-A. Cruz was completely unhittable, throwing two perfect innings and striking out three batters on just 15 pitches (13 for strikes).
What's Next for the Yankees?
The Yankees now move right into the series finale on Thursday at Yankee Stadium, and Carlos Rodon is lined up to start for New York. They will be looking for a steady outing from Rodon, who struggled in his past two outings since his return, to stop the slide and finish the series on a better note.
They may have to do that without Trent Grisham. He left the game with left knee discomfort after a second-inning double, and the Yankees said he will get imaging.
Before the injury, Grisham had been slashing .174 with six home runs and 27 RBIs across 49 games.
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Written by
Md Saife Fida
Edited by
Yask Kotak