Yankees’ offense breaks out in 16-5 win over Blue Jays

The Yankees‘ offense finally broke out and New York snapped a four-game losing streak with their 16-5 win over the Blue Jays on Friday night.

Here are the takeaways…

-Yankees hitters not named Juan Soto or Aaron Judge were struggling as the team entered Friday’s game. But they did break out with Soto and Judge continuing to lead the way.

Down 1-0, Soto scored on an incredible slide at home after Judge created a rundown on the basepaths. And then with the Yankees down 3-1 in the sixth, Soto launched a three-run shot after getting the green light on a 3-0 pitch to put the Yanks up for the first time in this series.

A J.D. Davis RBI double drove in Judge and Gleyber Torres, who was riding the bench the last two games, launched his eighth home run of the year to put the Yankees up 7-3 after six.

Alex Verdugo and DJ LeMahieu doubles gave the Yankees their eighth and ninth runs on the evening. For LeMahieu, that was his first extra-base hit this season.

The Yankees’ 18 hits and 16 runs are both season highs. Every starter picked up at least one base knock with Judge and Jahmai Jones picking up a team-high three hits each.

–Marcus Stroman‘s night was defined by one inning. After giving up a first-inning to George Springer — of course — the right-hander would settle down until the fifth.

Back-to-back singles and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with no out. Stroman got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground to Anthony Volpe, but the Yankees infield could not complete the double play. Stroman was shown yelling into his glove, visibly frustrated after the failed DP.

After a walk to load the bases again, Stroman was pulled. The first-year Yankee was seen yelling to himself in the dugout.

Michael Tonkin relieved Stroman and after hitting Springer to push across the Blue Jays’ third run of the game, Guerrero was called out at home after Jose Trevino retrieved a wild pitch and dove for the tag.

Stroman pitched 4.1 innings (88 pitches/52 strikes), giving up three runs on five hits, three walks and a HBP, while striking out three batters. Stroman was the first to greet Torres after his home run.

-Including Tonkin, the Yankees bullpen was a bit up-and-down. Tonkin gave up a run on one hit in his 1.2 innings pitched. Luke Weaver gave up a run on two hits in his inning of work.

Tommy Kahnle and Tim Hill combined to give up just two hits in two innings of work to close it out.

Game MVP: Juan Soto

Soto is the game MVP because of the timing of his home run. With the Yankees down 3-1 and seemingly unable to put up a crooked number, his three-run blast gave New York the lead and some confidence that seemingly trickled down to the rest of the team.

Soto finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a walk.

Honorable mention goes to Gleyber Torres who used the time out of the lineup to reset. He finished 2-for-4 with three RBI.

Highlights

What’s next

The Yankees and Blue Jays continue their four-game set on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 p.m.

Nestor Cortes (4-6, 3.40 ERA) is on the mound for the Yankees and he’ll be opposed by Chris Bassitt (6-3, 3.45 ERA).