Yankees rookie Anthony Volpe goes deep before DJ LeMahieu hits walk-off single to beat Blue Jays

DJ “LeMachine” LeMahieu got the walk-off hit for the Yankees on Saturday, but it was rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe who stole the show again in the Bronx as New York pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory over the rival Toronto Blue Jays.

Volpe (Italian for fox) hit a two-run homer in the eighth off Yimi García – his second in his young career – but Jays pinch-hitter Danny Jansen followed with a two-run homer in the ninth against Wandy Peralta on a opening walk to Alejandro Kirk to tie the game.

Fortunately for the Yankees, Anthony Rizzo doubled off Jordan Romano (2-1) in the bottom of the inning. The unwieldy first baseman would be replaced by a pinch runner, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Gleyber Torres followed with a single and Willie Calhoun walked to bring forward LeMahieu, who singled to center to bring in the winning run.

Even before the first pitch there was intrigue. Just as Gerrit Cole was about to start the game, he was forced to wait and crouched behind the mound as Alek Manoah and Kirk walked slowly from the Blue Jays bullpen down the left field line to the dugout.

The New York Yankees celebrate after DJ LeMahieu, at center, drove in the winning run

Cole allowed four hits in 5 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks, extending his scoreless streak to 20 2/3 innings and lowering his ERA to 0.79.

Manoah gave up two hits in seven innings with five strikeouts and one walk, dropping his ERA from 6.98 to 5.13.

Last August 21, Manoah threw an inside pitch early in the game that came close to Yankees star Aaron Judge, then hit Judge on the armguard above the left elbow. Judge glanced at Manoah as Cole yelled and several other Yankees came over the railing of the dugout. Cole was intercepted by bench coach Carlos Mendoza before reaching the umpires.

“I think if Gerrit wants to do something, he can walk past the Audi sign next time,” Manoah said, referring to the ad on the grass between the Yankees dugout and the first base line.

Asked in November on the YouTube show ‘How Hungry Are You?’ by NBA player Serge Ibaka. “who is the worst cheater in baseball history,” Manaoh replied, “Gerrit Cole. He cheated. He used a lot of sticky stuff to make his pitches better. He was more or less called to account for it.’

On Friday, Rizzo and Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. words after Greg Weissert hit Guerrero with a 93 mph sinker.

Jimmy Cordero (1-0) got George Springer to ground into an inning-ending double play in the top of the inning.

New York improved to 11-0 this year as it faced a series loss.

Umpire Quinn Wolcott (81) checks New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole’s glove in the fourth