Kirk homers and drives in 2, Guerrero leaves injured as Blue Jays beat Yankees 3-1

TORONTO (AP) — Alejandro Kirk homered and hit a tiebreaking double, Shane Bieber pitched six innings to win for the fourth time in six starts and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 3-1 on Friday night.

Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left after colliding with Yankees rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. on a chaotic play at third base in the sixth inning.

Kirk went 2 for 3 with a walk. He broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out double off Gerrit Cole in the sixth, then added some insurance with a two-out homer, his fifth, off Bradley Hanner in the eighth.

Bieber (4-2) allowed one run on four hits. He’s 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA in his past six outings.

Tyler Rogers got four outs and Mason Fluharty retired both batters he faced. Louis Varland finished for his 27th save in 28 chances.

Cole (6-6) allowed two runs, one earned, and five hits in six innings, snapping a streak of three straight winning starts. Cole walked two and struck out five.

With Guerrero at first and Nathan Lukes at second and the Blue Jays trailing 1-0 in the sixth, George Springer hit a grounder to third baseman Ryan McMahon, who stepped on the bag to force out Lukes.

McMahon threw to first in a bid to retire Springer, but New York first baseman Luis García Jr. couldn’t scoop the throw.

Guerrero broke for third and García threw toward Lombard, who was trying to get to the bag. When Lombard tried to leap over the sliding Guerrero, his left thigh struck Guerrero’s head.

Charles McAdoo replaced Guerrero in the seventh.

RHP Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.21 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Yankees on Saturday. The Blue Jays had not named a starter.

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New York Yankees' George Lombard Jr., front, gets caught in a rundown as Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez, back, pursues during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) gets caught in a rundown as Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andrés Giménez (0) throws to third for the out during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) grimaces as he crosses the plate after scoring following a throwing error by New York Yankees first baseman Luis García Jr. (26) during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays Alejandro Kirk (30) hits a RBI double off New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) during sixth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Six-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left the Toronto Blue Jays' 3-1 victory over the Yankees on Friday night after colliding with New York rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. on a chaotic play at third base.

With Guerrero at first and Nathan Lukes at second in the sixth inning and the Blue Jays trailing 1-0, George Springer hit a grounder to third baseman Ryan McMahon, who stepped on the bag to force out Lukes.

McMahon threw to first in a bid to retire Springer, but New York first baseman Luis García Jr. couldn’t scoop the throw, losing his glove in the process. Guerrero broke for third and García threw toward Lombard, who was trying to get to the bag. When Lombard tried to leap over the sliding Guerrero, his left thigh struck Guerrero’s head.

Guerrero’s helmet was dislodged. He got up and ran home to score the tying run, but looked dazed after crossing the plate.

Charles McAdoo replaced Guerrero at first base in the top of the seventh.

Guerrero is batting .263 with seven homers and 46 RBIs.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) grimaces as he crosses the plate after scoring following a throwing error by New York Yankees first baseman Luis García Jr. (26) during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)