What happened: The New York Yankees lineup erupted for five runs in the ninth inning to secure an 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Ben Rice hit a tie-breaking two-run home run, followed by a three-run blast from Jose Caballero to clinch the rubber match of the three-game set.
Why it matters: The win pushes New York to 43-27, keeping them 1.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays in the division race. The late-inning surge highlights a resurgent offense that has propelled the club to a 17-6 record against left-handed starters this season, while Toronto continues to struggle with situational hitting and key injuries to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
By the numbers: NYY: 43-27, 1st in AL East | TOR: 34-38, 3rd in AL East. Yankees have won 4 of their last 5 games. Ben Rice: 19 HR this season. Toronto went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the series finale.
What to watch: The Yankees will look to build on their offensive momentum as they head into a crucial mid-June stretch, while the Blue Jays monitor the status of Guerrero Jr.'s back tightness.