Cease's No-Hit Bid Falls Short

Dylan Cease came within two outs of a no-hitter Saturday, but the New York Yankees broke through in the seventh inning. With two outs, Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled to right field on Cease's 106th pitch, a 97.1 mph fastball, putting runners at first and second, as reported by the Associated Press. Cease then allowed an RBI single to Austin Wells that cut Toronto's lead to 3-1 before he was replaced by Spencer Miles.

The right-hander allowed two hits in 6 2/3 innings, tied a season-high with five walks, and struck out eight. He threw 60 of 111 pitches for strikes, according to CP24. Cease stranded runners at third in the first and second innings by striking out Luis García Jr. and Austin Wells, and he ended the fifth by getting José Caballero to line into a double play started by shortstop Ernie Clement, as detailed by the Associated Press.

Cease was attempting his second career no-hitter and the second in Toronto history. He threw a no-hitter on July 25, 2024, at Washington for San Diego, as the Associated Press reported. Earlier this season, he took a no-hit bid into the ninth inning at San Francisco on July 8 before Heliot Ramos singled, and he carried a no-hitter for the Padres into the seventh against the Yankees on May 7, 2025, before Cody Bellinger homered.

Toronto's only no-hitter was thrown by Dave Stieb on Sept. 2, 1990, in Cleveland. The Yankees have been no-hit eight times, most recently by Houston's Cristian Javier, Hector Neris and Ryan Pressly on June 25, 2022, at Yankee Stadium, according to the Associated Press.

Lukes and Guerrero Lead the Comeback

Nathan Lukes' home run in the eighth inning proved to be the difference in the 4-3 victory, as the Associated Press reported. The Blue Jays scored their first three runs on RBI singles by George Springer, rookie Charles McAdoo, and Lukes, who came off the bench as a pinch hitter. Lukes added his eighth homer of the season in the eighth inning.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned from the seven-day concussion list and had two hits. He was introduced before the game at Yankee Stadium and was booed by the crowd, as The London Free Press reported. Guerrero scored the first run of the game, helping the Blue Jays take an early advantage. He had lined a single into left field in his second at-bat, the first of his two-hit afternoon.

Guerrero's return came after he was involved in an accidental collision with rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. at third base during the previous week's game against the Yankees. He exited that game and was placed on the seven-day injured list the next day. Earlier in the month, he had missed three games due to hamstring tightness. In his return, he homered against the Philadelphia Phillies, his first home run in a month. To make room on the roster, the Blue Jays optioned Davis Schneider to the minors, The London Free Press noted.

Alejandro Kirk extended his hit streak to a career-high 11 games. The Blue Jays outhit the Yankees 15-4 but went 4-for-18 with runners in scoring position, one game after going 1-for-14, according to The London Free Press.

Bullpen Holds On

Spencer Miles hit José Caballero with a pitch to load the bases before retiring Trent Grisham on a ground ball to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as CP24 reported. Tyler Rogers allowed a two-run homer to Luis García Jr. in the eighth inning. Louie Varland struck out Grisham with a runner on third for his 29th save in 30 chances.

The Yankees' starter, Ryan Weathers (5-8), allowed two runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings before leaving with left forearm discomfort. The Yankees said he was going for further imaging, according to the Associated Press and CP24.

Clement Starts at Shortstop

Before the game, the Blue Jays announced that Ernie Clement would start at shortstop and bat sixth, as reported by Heavy. Clement entered Saturday hitting .285 with nine home runs, 43 RBI, and a .714 OPS across 126 games. A fourth-round pick out of the University of Virginia in 2017, Clement has started at second base, third base, and shortstop this season.

Clement's batting order splits show he has hit .244 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 24 games batting sixth, compared to .319 in the two-hole and .282 in the leadoff spot, according to Heavy. He went 3-for-5 with three runs on August 18 against Tampa Bay and had reached base in four of his last five games overall. On Friday, he went 1-for-4 in Toronto's 3-1 loss.

Toronto's regular shortstop, Andrés Giménez, is considered day-to-day, which opened the door for Clement's start. The Blue Jays entered Saturday with a 63-67 record, fourth in the AL East, roughly 14 games behind the division-leading Rays. The Yankees were 73-55, three games behind Tampa Bay for second, and led the season series 6-5. Toronto had won six of its last 10 games, including series wins over Boston and Tampa Bay.

The series continues Sunday, with José Soriano (10-6, 3.23 ERA) opposing Carlos Rodón (4-2, 3.22 ERA).