The lead story: The Yankees’ return to winning ways was short-lived. The Blue Jays smacked them around on Thursday night, cruising to a 9-2 win after a five-run second inning against right-hander Frankie Montas. The trade deadline acquisition was shelled for the second time in three starts with the Yankees, giving up six runs on eight hits over six innings with two strikeouts and a walk. Vlad Guerrero Jr. launched a three-run shot for the Jays. Aaron Judge had an RBI for the Bombers.
The side bar: Max Fried edged Jacob deGrom in a pitchers duel as the Braves wrapped up a series win in Atlanta and downed the Mets, 3-2, to pull the NL East race closer.