Ben Rice Tiebreaking Homer Lifts Yankees to 5-4 Win over Blue Jays

Ben Rice hit a tie-breaking two-run home run in the fifth inning, propelling the New York Yankees to a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. The win marked the Yankees' 11th in their last 12 home games.

Rice’s 16th homer of the season, which ties him with Aaron Judge for the team lead, came off Toronto starter Dylan Cease with one out in the fifth. It followed a walk to Trent Grisham and broke a 3-3 tie. The Yankees had erased an early deficit in the fourth inning when Ryan McMahon hit a three-run homer off Cease, snapping an 0-for-24 slump. McMahon’s shot to left field came after walks to Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Toronto had taken a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth against Yankees starter Will Warren. Daulton Varsho singled to start the rally, and RBI singles from Yohendrick Pinango, Jesús Sánchez, and Andrés Giménez produced the three runs. Warren settled in to complete five innings, allowing three runs on six hits to earn the win.

The Yankees bullpen, which has struggled recently, delivered four innings of one-run relief. Tim Hill, Jake Bird, and Brent Headrick combined for three scoreless frames. Closer Camilo Doval entered in the...