Blue Jays' memorable late-season trips to the Bronx

By Bob Elliott

It used to be a big deal on the schedule:

Late in the season ... when the American League East was decided.

“Tor at NYY.”

And it’s been a while since it was.

This weekend marks the first time since August of 1993 that the Blue Jays visited the Bronx to play the New York Yankees something was actually on the line.

There were a couple of years when a sweep would have put the Jays within striking distance of a wild-card berth ... but this weekend ... this August weekend in New York is like old times with Tom Henke closing, Robbie Alomar diving and Joe Carter going deep.

This weekend the Jays went into New York challenging for the American League East lead and all the buzz that that implies.

Past non-waiver trade deadline trips to the Bronx that meant something
1985, Sept. 12-16
Thursday, Yankees 7, Jays 5, Toronto leads by 1.5 games 
WP Ron Guidry, LP Gary Lavelle, S Brian Fisher.
Yankees score six with 2 out in 7th when Tony Fernandez goes to throw to second and no one is home.

Friday, Jays 3, Yankees 2, Toronto leads by 2.5
WP Lavelle, LP Phil Niekro. S Tom Henke.    
Al Oliver triples, singles, knocks in three

Saturday, Jays 7, Yankees 4, Toronto leads by 3.5
WP Jimmy Key, LP Rich Bordi.
Irish saloon singer Mary O’Dowd mangles melody and words to “O, Canada”

Sunday, Jays 8, Yankees 5, Toronto leads by 4.5
WP Doyle Alexander, LP Ed Whitson.
Jesse Barfield hits two-run double in six-run third

1987 Sept. 17-20
Thursday Yankees 6, Jays 5, Toronto trails Detroit by 1/2 a game
WP Dave Righetti, LP, Henke.
Dan Pasqua hits walk-off single.

Friday Jays 6, Yankees 3 Jays, 1/2 game back.
WP Jim Clancy, LP Neil Allen S David Wells
Willie Upshaw homers, Ernie Whitt has three hits

Saturday Yankees 4, Jays 2 1.5 back
WP Bill Gullickson, LP Mike Flanagan, S Righetti
Rickey Henderson homers for Yanks, Jays manage 3 hits

Sunday, Jays 6, Yankees 2 .5 back
WP Wells, LP Leiter    
After being knocked down by Leiter, Bell homers deep to left where ambulances park, Nelson Liriano and Upshaw also homer

1990, Aug. 20-22
Monday, Yankees 6, Jays 5, 11 innings, 1 game back.
WP Cadaret, LP Acker
Alvaro Espinoza hits walk-off single

Tuesday, Yankees 3, Jays 2 1 game back
WP Cary LP John Candelaria, S Lee Guetterman
Steve Balboni homers

Wednesday, Yankees 4, Jays 2 2 games back
WP Andy Hawkins, LP John Cerutti, S Righetti
Roberto Kelly hit two-run homer off Cerutti

1991, Aug. 29-Sept. 1
Thursday, Jays 6, Yankees 2, up 2.5
WP Wells, LP Jeff Johnson
Devon White hits homer

Friday, Yankees 9, Jays 2, up 2.5
WP Scott Sanderson, LP Todd Stottlemyre
Matt Nokes hits two homers, Mel Hall one

Saturday, Jays 5, Yankees 0 up 3.5
WP Jimmy Key, LP Greg Caderet, S Duane Ward
Key, Mike Timlin and Ward combine on 3 hitter, Robbie Alomar triples

Sunday, Yankees 4, Jays 2 up 2.5  
WP Guetterman, LP Bob MacDonald            
Kevin Maas hits two-run double in eighth

1992, Sept. 25-27 
Friday, Jays 3, Yankees 1, up 3.5
WP David Cone, LP Melido Perez, S Henke
Pat Borders doubled in two runs

Saturday, Yankees 2, Jays 1, up 2.5
WP Bob Wickman, LP Juan Guzman, S Steve Farr 
Danny Tartabull’s 2-run homer is the difference

Sunday, Jays 12, Yankees 2,  up 2.5
WP Jack Morris LP Sanderson
Morris pitches four innings and comes back after a rain delay and pitches two more scoreless for 20th win

1993, Aug 2-5
Monday, Jays 4, Yankees 0, up 2
WP Todd Stottlemyre, LP Abbott, S Danny Cox
Joe Carter, White homer, Stottlemyre 8 scoreless

Tuesday, Jays 8, Yankees 6, up 3
WP Pat Hentgen, LP Bobby Munoz, S Leiter
White, Paul Molitor and Fernandez drive in runs in 4-run 8th

Wednesday, Yankees 6, Jays 2 up 2
WP Scott Kamieniecki, LP Dave Stewart
Mike Gallego has 3 hits, including solo homer
 
Thursday, Yankees 5, Jays 4 up 1
WP Key, LP Leiter
Don Mattingly, Paul O’Neill homer

2015 Aug. 7-9
Friday, Jays 2, Yankees 1 (10 innings) 3.5 back
WP Brett Cecil, LP Branden Pinder, S Roberto Osuna
Jose Bautista homers in 10th

Saturday, Jays 6, Yankees 0 2.5 back
WP David Price, LP Ivan Nova
Justin Smoak hits grand slam

Sunday, Jays 2, Yankees 0 1.5 back
WP Marco Estrada, LP Masahiro Tanaka
Josh Donaldson and Bautista each hit solo homers
Warm up the bus