TORONTO – Blue Jays rookie Bo Bichette had fitting competition during a record-setting first game in Toronto — a Yankees lineup led by a player plenty familiar with Rogers Centre.
Gio Urshela hit two home runs for the second straight game and New York outslugged Bichette and the Blue Jays 12-6 Thursday night to extend its winning streak to a season-best nine games.
The Yankees have hit a record 19 homers over their last four games, including at least five in each win during a three-game sweep at Baltimore this week. Urshela hit two-run homers in the first and third innings, his 15th and 16th of the season, and outfielder Mike Tauchman also had a two-run shot during New York’s six-run third.
Urshela’s homer barrage comes almost exactly a year after the Yankees purchased him from the Blue Jays.
“They’ve been impact players for us,” New York manager Aaron Boone said of Urshela and Tauchman. “They do it on both sides of the ball.”
Playing at home for the first time, Bichette became the first player in major league history to double in nine consecutive games. He also homered, giving him an unprecedented 13 extra-base hits in his first 11 career games. Bichette is the first rookie to have an extra-base hit in nine straight games since Ted Williams in 1939, according to STATS.
“When I hit the homer, that was the first chills moment I’ve had in the big leagues so far,” Bichette said.
Bichette’s 11 game-hitting streak to start his career is the longest ever by a Blue Jays player.
“We’re watching history,” Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said.
The Yankees have homered in 12 consecutive games, hitting two or more in a season-high seven straight. New York is an AL-best 51-7 when hitting two or more homers this season.
“As an offense, we’re kind of in the zone right now,” Tauchman said.
Urshela hit .233 with one homer in 19 games with the Blue Jays last season before being demoted to the minors in early July. He was sold to New York on Aug. 4.
“That’s a big change for my career, coming to the Yankees from the Blue Jays,” Urshela said. “I feel good to be here now.”
Red Sox 3, Angels 0
In Boston, Chris Sale righted himself and struck out 13 over eight innings of two-hit ball, Sam Travis hit a two-run homer and the Red Sox beat Los Angeles.
Angels DH Shohei Ohtani had a double in three at-bats in the loss.
Indians 7, Twins 5
In Minneapolis, Jose Ramirez drove in three runs and Mike Clevinger kept Minnesota quiet with nine strikeouts in seven innings as Cleveland struck first in this four-game series.
Cubs 12, Reds 5
In Cincinnati, Anthony Rizzo had a pair of hits as part of a 30th birthday celebration, Nicholas Castellanos added to his Chicago surge with a pair of homers and the Cubs beat the Reds for their biggest NL Central lead of the season.
Giants 5, Phillies 0
In San Francisco, Madison Bumgarner carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and won his fourth straight decision, pitching the Giants past Philadelphia to snap a four-game losing streak.
In Other Games
Padres 9, Rockies 3
Marlins 9, Braves 2
Tigers 10, Royals 8
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Source : Baseball – The Japan Times