JC Escarra breakout, Chris Bassitt choke highlight Yankees' doubleheader sweep

The New York Yankees swept the Toronto Blue Jays in Sunday's doubleheader and took the weekend series. They outscored their division rivals 16-3 in the two games and handled two of their best pitchers in Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt.

Gausman crashed out of the first game when he melted down in the third inning, got ejected, and fell down the dugout steps. In the second game, Bassitt, who hadn't surrendered a home run all year, gave up a leadoff bomb to Trent Grisham.

The right-hander would end his day allowing four earned runs on six hits and a walk across 5 2/3 innings. He surrendered the game-deciding home run to Aaron Judge in the sixth (a mammoth oppo blast into the bleachers), which was the slugger's first since April 16. Bassitt then gave up an RBI double to Jasson Dominguez before being removed from the game.

JC Escarra added an RBI single after Blue Jays manager John Schneider called on the bullpen, which put the Bombers up 4-1. That wasn't all from the rookie catcher, though, who belted his first career home run in the eighth inning off former Yankee Chad Green. The 415-foot blast was a no-doubter and his postgame interview was an absolute joy. That put an exclamation point on the 5-1 victory.

Yankees sweep Blue Jays doubleheader, take series after Sunday domination

Believe it or not, coming into this game, Bassitt was 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in five starts against the Yankees. He led the league in FIP with a 1.50 mark before the Bombers handled him on Sunday afternoon.

As for Escarra, that was his first career multi-hit game as well. He hadn't been overly impressive this season due to his limited action and the fact he was debuting as a 30-year-old at a completely foreign position (he's mostly played first base), so it was lovely for him to get his moment in his ninth game.

Surprisingly, the Yankees were able to power through Friday's blown game at the hands of Devin Williams, who was removed from the closer role on Sunday and didn't appear in either game. Luke Weaver shut the door in the second game, as he handled George Springer, Andres Gimenez and Will Wagner in a 1-2-3 inning.

With the win, the Yankees improve to 17-11, only behind the 18-10 Detroit Tigers in the American League. The Bombers will travel to Baltimore on Monday for a three-game set against the Orioles, who just got swept in Detroit and are currently reeling with a struggling pitching staff.

The Yankees getting back on track after the Williams drama is a good sign for what's to come, and it's a positive change of pace from their previous unwillingness to make decisions with intent and properly respond to adversity on the field.