Yankees Gain Ground on Blue Jays with Ninth-Inning Home Run

The New York Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on July 23, ending the Blue Jays' 11-game home winning streak and narrowing the American League East gap to three games. Ben Rice hit a decisive ninth-inning solo home run off Toronto closer Jeff Hoffman to break a 4-4 tie and secure the Yankees' victory. Despite struggles from shortstop Anthony Volpe, who committed his 13th error of the season and allowed Toronto to tie the game in the sixth inning, the Yankees benefited from strong performances by Cody Bellinger and pitcher Cam Schlittler. Bellinger contributed with two doubles and a solo home run, matching his home run total from the previous season. Prior to this game, both Rice and Bellinger were benched for the series opener against Toronto due to strategic lineup changes against right-hander Kevin Gausman, but were expected to return for subsequent games. The win helped the Yankees chip away at the Blue Jays' division lead, setting up a competitive series between the division rivals.