Blue Jays, Yankees exchange home runs in seesaw affair

Nathan Lukes hit a solo shot in the second, while the Yankees hit three of their own in a back-and-forth affair that the saw New York walk it off in ninth inning.

After the Yankees got out to an early 2-0 lead off Blue Jays starter Yariel Rodriguez in the first, Lukes hit a solo home run in the second inning to bring the Blue Jays to within one.

The Yankees added one more in the third, before the Blue Jays erupted for four in the fifth. After Lukes walked and then stole second, the Blue Jays hit two doubles, a single, and a sacrifice fly to pull ahead 5-3.

The Yankees then added one in 6th off Ryan Yarbrough before re-taking the lead in the 8th inning.

Tommy Nance entered the game and immediately gave up a home run to Everson Pereira and then a single and a double to allow the Yankees to pull ahead.

The Blue Jays re-took the lead in unusual fashion in the ninth. With one out and the bases loaded thanks to a single, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, Arjun Nimmala hit a ground ball to shortstop Alexander Vargas. The Yankees prospect got the force at second but then 2nd baseman Hans made a throw to first, causing the ball to get past Tyler Hardman.

With one run already in, Alan Roden scampered home just ahead of Hardman's tag of Nimmala, who was called out for making a turn to second. As the play was a tag play, and not a force play, both runs counted.

Hayden Juenger came on in the ninth inning but after two walks and a passed ball, he gave up two-run single to Cole Gabrielson to end the game.

Rodriguez started for the Blue Jays and although he struck out four, he gave up two runs in three innings to push his spring ERA to 12.00. Only one of the Blue Jays six pitchers didn't allow a run - reliever Braydon Fisher, who pitched a scoreless inning and a third.

The Blue Jays continue their Grapefruit League slate with a split-squad day against the Phillies and Tigers on Saturday. Both games start at 1:05pm ET.