Jones hits 2-run HR as Yankees beat Blue Jays 3-1 for 5th straight win

NEW YORK (AP) — Rookie Spencer Jones hit a towering two-run homer in the second inning that was upheld on replay, and the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Friday night for their fifth straight victory.

New York starter Cam Schlittler (11-6) held the Blue Jays to one run and six hits in six innings. The tall right-hander allowed one earned run or fewer for the major league-leading 19th time and got his first win since July 24.

After Trent Grisham opened the second with a walk, Jones lifted Spencer Arrighetti’s 2-1 curveball to right field. The ball stayed fair, passed the foul pole before landing about halfway up the second deck.

Jones watched the flight of the ball before starting his home run trot. As he was about halfway through, Toronto manager John Schneider called for a review and the home run stood following a brief delay.

It was Jones’ seventh homer and the second time he homered in consecutive games. Jones also went deep at Wrigley Field July 31-Aug. 1.

José Caballero lifted a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead in the fourth as the Yankees won for the ninth time in 13 games. New York moved within three games of first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.

Schlittler pitched with runners on for most of his outing. He struck out Jesús Sánchez with two on to end the third, retired Myles Straw with two on to end the fourth before getting an inning-ending double play in the fifth.

Alejandro Kirk had an RBI single in the fifth that extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

After opener Mason Fluharty faced four hitters, Arrighetti (7-6) allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings in his Toronto debut.

Brent Headrick struck out pinch hitter George Springer with a runner on third to end the seventh. David Bednar recorded his 30th save in 33 chances.

Toronto RHP Dylan Cease (7-5, 2.42 ERA) was set to oppose New York LHP Ryan Weathers (5-7, 3.56) on Saturday.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Toronto Blue Jays' Mason Fluharty pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider, right, watches as a trainer checks on catcher Alejandro Kirk during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Yankees' Spencer Jones celebrates with third base/outfield coach Luis Rojas as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Yankees' Cam Schlittler pitches dfirst inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

MACKAY, Australia (AP) — Mitchell Starc removed Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam with the first ball of the match and the veteran Australian fast bowler took five wickets in the first session of the second cricket test Saturday.

After Australia won the toss and decided to bowl, with captain Pat Cummins suggesting "the wicket looks pretty good, but if there is any moisture in it, it might be this morning,” Starc proved Cummins correct.

Islam was caught in the gully off a leading edge to give Starc his fourth career wicket on the first ball of a match. Starc removed Tanzid Hasan and had captain Najmul Hossain Shanto caught lbw in the third over to leave Bangladesh, which surprisingly won the first test of the two-test series, reeling.

Starc got his fourth wicket when Nathan Green made a grass-top catch to remove Mominul Haque for 9, the only Bangladesh batter to score a run among the first four batters Saturday. His fifth wicket came when he had Litton Das trapped lbw.

At lunch Saturday, Bangladesh was 35 for 6, having lost its sixth wicket when Cummins bowled Mushfiqur Rahim.

Starc's figures were 5-11 in nine overs.

“Six in the first session, can't beat that,” Starc told his wife, television commentator and former Australia captain Alyssa Healy while walking off the field at lunch. “Obviously a little bit of anger. It’s worked well so far, hopefully we can keep it up.”

Australia announced a 13-man squad earlier this week, with only one change for the second test. It dropped Jake Weatherald and recalled Matt Renshaw, who will open the batting.

Bangladesh also made one change — Shoriful Islam came in for Ebadot Hossain.

The match began under sunny skies at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, a coastal city in Queensland state about 800 kilometers (500 miles) north of the capital Brisbane.

Bangladesh’s first test win in Australia put pressure on national cricket selectors for an overhaul, but the bulk of the aging squad was retained despite being outplayed in Darwin, where the likes of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan made the most of the tropical conditions.

The two-test “Top End” series starts a heavy 12-month schedule for the Australians that will feature 20 test matches, including tours to South Africa, India and England.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

Mitchell Starc of Australia appeals unsuccessfully for a wicket during play on day two of the first cricket test against Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia, Friday, Aug.14, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)

Travis Head of Australia walks from the field after he was dismissed during play on day three of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Saturday, Aug.15, 2026, (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)

Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh celebrates after dismissing Beau Webster of Australia during play on day four of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)

Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh takes a selfie with fans after defeating Australia on day four of the first cricket test in Darwin, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)