Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage dominated in his playoff debut with 11 strikeouts, bringing Toronto one step closer to advancing after defeating the Yankees again.

Twenty-two-year-old right-handed rookie Trey Yesavage of the Toronto Blue Jays started Game 2 of the AL Division Series today, completely shutting down the New York Yankees' lineup by pitching 5.1 scoreless innings with no hits and striking out 11 batters. In his first postseason appearance, he set a new team record for strikeouts in a single game and earned the win with an outstanding performance. The Blue Jays ultimately defeated the Yankees 13-7, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series and gaining a match point; one more victory will send them to the AL Championship Series.

Yesavage, a rookie drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round last year, was promoted to the major leagues on September 16. In three regular-season starts, he recorded one win with a 3.21 ERA. Today marked his playoff debut, where he threw 78 pitches over 5.1 innings, facing 18 batters with only one walk and one reached base due to a defensive error. Particularly impressive were his six consecutive strikeouts across the 3rd and 4th innings, making him the key contributor to the Blue Jays’ victory.

The Blue Jays’ previous single-game postseason strikeout record was 8; Yesavage raised that to double digits today. At 22 years and 69 days old, he became the second youngest pitcher in team history to record 10 or more strikeouts. He achieved 10 strikeouts within the first four innings, tying a Major League record.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after the game, “I’m extremely proud of Yesavage; his journey this year has been incredible.”

Offensively, the Blue Jays scored 12 runs in the first five innings. Yankees ace left-hander Max Fried gave up 8 hits, including a home run, and allowed 7 runs in just 3 innings before exiting early with the loss.

The Blue Jays totaled 15 hits in the game, including 5 home runs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 3-for-5 with a home run for the second straight day, hitting the franchise’s first postseason grand slam in the 4th inning. Daulton Varsho was 4-for-5 with 4 RBIs, shining with a two-homer performance.

The Blue Jays have won both games at home in Toronto, hitting 8 home runs and 29 total hits across the two contests, striking out only 7 times, and scoring a total of 23 runs.

Historical data shows that teams leading 2-0 at home in a Division Series have advanced 31 out of 34 times. The Yankees’ chance to come back is only 8.8%. Game 3 will be played in New York on Tuesday, with left-hander Carlos Rodón pitching for the Yankees and Cy Young winner Shane Bieber starting for the Blue Jays.