Rizzo grand slam powers Yankees past Jays

TORONTO — Anthony Rizzo hit a grand slam as part of an eight-run fifth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 12-3 on Friday.

It's the second straight game where Toronto gave up 10 runs, following a 10-2 loss to the lowly Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.

Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu hit back-to-back home runs in the same inning for New York (48-16), accounting for three more runs. Joey Gallo smashed a two-run shot in the ninth.

Jordan Montgomery (3-1) struck out five and gave up two runs on three hits and a walk over six innings. Manny Bañuelos, Miguel Castro and Lucas Luetge came out of the Yankees' bullpen, with Bañuelos allowing a run.

Designated hitter Alejandro Kirk's homer in the sixth inning was the offensive highlight for the Blue Jays (37-27). Rookie catcher Gabriel Moreno went 3-for-4 and batted in two runs.

Ross Stripling (3-2) pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Trent Thornton, Trevor Richards and Casey Lawrence came on in relief.

Thornton gave up five runs and Richards three more in the Blue Jays' disastrous fifth inning.

Moreno brought the 44,688 in attendance to their feet with an RBI single in the bottom of the second. His bouncing base hit up the middle scored Kirk for a 1-0 Toronto lead.

It was the third RBI of Moreno's career after he was called up to the Blue Jays last Saturday.

Torres replied for the Yankees in the top of the fourth, banging a double off the left-field wall and driving in LeMahieu who led off the inning with a single.

New York took a 2-1 lead three batters later, with Kyle Higashioka's groundball to Stripling giving Torres enough time to score from second.

That run ended Stripling's night, with Thornton