Bassitt gets 2nd straight victory as Blue Jays win 3-1, hand Yankees first back-to-back losses

TORONTO (AP) — Chris Bassitt pitched into the seventh inning to win his second straight start, Alejandro Kirk reached base three times and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Yankees 3-1 on Monday night, handing New York consecutive losses for the first time this season.

“We are not happy about it, but it happened,” said infielder Oswaldo Cabrera, who drove in New York’s only run. “We are just getting ready for tomorrow’s game.”

New York (12-5) lost 8-7 at Cleveland on Sunday when the Guardians scored three runs in the 10th.

The Yankees lost a series opener for the second time in six tries, with both defeats coming against the Blue Jays. Toronto won 3-0 in New York’s home opener on April 5.

Bassitt (2-2) allowed one run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings to help Toronto extend its winning streak to a season-high three games.

“It’s a very tough lineup but we had a game plan and stuck to it,” he said.

The right-hander walked two and struck out five, ending his outing by fanning Gleyber Torres. Bassitt is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees.

“He’s the epitome of the kitchen sink — he’ll throw everything,” New York manager Aaron Boone said.

Tim Mayza got two outs and former Yankees reliever Chad Green worked a 1-2-3 eighth. Yimi Garcia retired Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo on flyballs in the ninth for his second save.

“You’re earning every part of a close there,” Toronto manager John Schneider said.

Kirk walked and scored in the second and hit an RBI double in the third. His leadoff single in the sixth extended his streak of reaching base safely to seven consecutive plate appearances. Kirk went 2 for 2 with two walks Sunday against Colorado.

Kirk’s streak ended in the eighth with a fly to center against Dennis Santana.

Cabrera opened the scoring with an RBI single in the second, but the Blue Jays used a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch to reply with two runs in the bottom half against right-hander Luis Gil.

Kirk’s two-out RBI double in the third extended Toronto’s lead.

Gil (0-1) allowed three runs and three hits in five innings. He struck out six and matched a career high with seven walks.

“Definitely not my night,” Gil said through a translator.

Boone praised Gil for limiting the damage and giving the Yankees valuable innings.

“On a night where we were really short he battled through it, actually finished pretty strong,” Boone said.

Toronto was also the opponent when Gil last walked seven, doing so in 3 1/3 innings on Sept. 9, 2021.

Judge started at designated hitter for the Yankees with Soto in right field and Trent Grisham in center.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: Boone said RHP Gerrit Cole (elbow inflammation) had the day off after throwing on flat ground from 60 feet Sunday. Cole is scheduled to throw again Tuesday. “He’s upped the volume a little bit already but I think he gets out to 75 (feet) and beyond moving forward,” Boone said.

Blue Jays: Toronto activated C Danny Jansen (broken right wrist) off the 10-day injured list and optioned C Brian Serven to Triple-A Buffalo.

UP NEXT

Yankees LHP Carlos Rodón (1-0, 1.72 ERA) starts Tuesday night against Toronto LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 2.30).

This story has been corrected to show that Kirk doubled in the third inning.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Toronto Blue Jays teammates Daulton Varsho, Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in a baseball game in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yimi García throws the ball during ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays teammates Daulton Varsho, Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in a baseball game in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays teammates Daulton Varsho, Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in a baseball game in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo reacts after grounding out during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil reacts during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, right, steals second base as Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Cavan Biggio attempts the tag during a baseball game in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt throws the ball during first inning MLB baseball action against the New York Yankees in Toronto on Monday, April 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Uzbekistan qualified for men's Olympic soccer after years of near-misses by reaching the Under-23 Asian Cup final.

The Uzbeks beat Indonesia 2-0 in the semifinals on Monday in Doha, Qatar, and will face Japan for the title on Friday.

Japan secured an eighth consecutive Olympic appearance with a 2-1 win over Iraq.

The top three teams qualify automatically for the Paris Games, and Iraq and Indonesia will meet in Thursday’s playoff to decide the remaining place.

Uzbekistan has had an unlucky run. It won the biennial Asian tournament in the non-Olympic years of 2018 and 2022. In 2020, the team finished fourth, missing out on the Tokyo Games after losing the playoff against Australia.

There was no heartbreak this time. After Indonesia found the back of the net but had a goal disallowed for offside, Khusain Norchaev scored midway through the second half to give Uzbekistan the lead.

Indonesia's hopes of an equalizer were set back when Rizky Ridho was sent off in the 84th, leaving his team with 10 men. Uzbekistan doubled the margin four minutes from time when Pratama Arhan conceded an own goal.

Uzbekistan captain Abdurauf Buriev was delighted to secure an historic Olympic berth but still wanted the Asian title.

“It's a very big moment in my career but I cannot say anything (more) because it was a very emotional match and we still have one game to prepare for,” the midfielder said. “There was no pressure on me by being the captain, it gave me some additional motivation and I focused on the game and obtaining the victory.”

Japan scored twice in the first half to take control against Iraq, with captain Joel Fujita instrumental in creating chances for Mao Hosoya and Ryotaro Araki.

The Indonesia-Iraq loser will face Guinea in a playoff in May with a place in Paris at stake.

Indonesia, which upset Australia in the group stage and then edged South Korea in a shootout after their quarterfinal finished 2-2, is aiming to reach the Olympic tournament for the first time since the 1956 Games in Melbourne, Australia.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Japan's Moa Hosoya, left, celebrates after he scored during a U-23 Asian Cup semi-final match between Iraq and Japan in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

Iraq's Ali Basim Mohamed, left, and Japan's Riku Handa fight for the ball during a U-23 Asian Cup semi-final match between Iraq and Japan in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

Nihad Mohammed. left, and Kota Takai run for the ball during a U-23 Asian Cup semi-final match between Iraq and Japan in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

Japan's players pose for a photo after the U-23 Asian Cup semi-final match between Iraq and Japan in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

Japan's players celebrate after U-23 Asian Cup semi-final match between Iraq and Japan in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)