With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in protocol, Jays chase series win vs. Yankees

The Toronto Blue Jays aim to continue their drive for a wild-card spot on Saturday afternoon as they bid to clinch their three-game series with the visiting New York Yankees.

The Blue Jays moved one game out in the congested race for the third wild-card spot in the American League with a 3-1 win in the series opener between two teams that are struggling offensively.

Trent Grisham's home run against Shane Bieber in the sixth inning on Friday is the only run the Yankees have scored in losing two straight games.

"We've got to score," said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who was ejected in the sixth inning for protesting a called strike.

"Obviously, this continues to be a challenge for us. This is another night where I thought we made decent contact, and we're having some of the right at-bats. But at the end of the day, we've got to push runs across when we get opportunities because that's where we've struggled, and we've got to make it happen. We had some chances but couldn't break through."

Alejandro Kirk bopped the go-ahead double in a two-run sixth against Gerrit Cole and homered in the eighth off Bradley Hanner, who made his major league debut.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored the tying run in the sixth on a play that has put him in concussion protocol.

Third baseman Ryan McMahon got a force out at third on George Springer's grounder but rushed a one-hop throw to first for an error. First baseman Luis Garcia Jr. lost his glove trying to make the pick and was charged with an error on his throw to third. Guerrero took a knee to the head from shortstop George Lombard Jr., who scrambled to cover third on the play. Guerrero continued home but was accompanied by a trainer when he left the field and was replaced by Charles McAdoo at first base in the seventh.

"You don't really see a fielder throw the ball across the field with no glove on," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. "It's an uncomfortable feeling. I've been there as a catcher. I'd rather it be a little bit cleaner and not have Vlad take a knee to the head."

"It's a key play of the game right there," Garcia said. "Trying to execute a double play, get out of the inning. Trying to make a pick there at first base, and I couldn't do that there in the moment.

"At the same time, I'm seeing Vladdy running, being aggressive, and now the focus is to make a good throw and get him out. Unfortunately, it didn't work out the way we wanted."

Boone feels Garcia was overly aggressive making the throw, especially with two out.

"But when his back got to the play, when he turned around and got his sightline again, he obviously should have held it," Boone said.

The Yankees will try to give some run support to right-hander Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.21 ERA), who is their scheduled starter on Saturday. He is 0-2 with a 4.12 ERA in four career starts against the Blue Jays and 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against them this season.

Right-hander Braydon Fisher (3-3, 3.54) is listed as the opener for the Blue Jays on Saturday in what is expected to be a bullpen day. He is 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA in nine career games (one start) against the Yankees. He is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in four games (one start) versus New York this season.

--Field Level Media