**Blue Jays Defeat Yankees 5-2, Advance to ALCS for First Time Since 2016**

NEW YORK — The Toronto Blue Jays celebrated a significant victory on Wednesday night, defeating the New York Yankees 5-2 in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. This win secured the Blue Jays a spot in the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2016.

Toronto manager John Schneider expressed his excitement during the post-game celebration at Yankee Stadium. "Start spreading the news!" he shouted while popping champagne, as the team reveled in their achievement. The familiar tune of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" played in the background, marking a triumphant moment for the Blue Jays in the Yankees' home territory.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer each contributed a run, while Nathan Lukes delivered a two-run single. The Blue Jays' pitching staff, consisting of eight pitchers, effectively contained the Yankees' offense throughout the game. Schneider noted, "Kind of fitting that it took everyone to win today," as he celebrated with his soaked shirt and hair.

The Blue Jays, who wore their lucky caps with white panels, clinched the best-of-five series 3-1. They will host Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday against either the Detroit Tigers or the Seattle Mariners, who are set to play a decisive Game 5 on Friday.

Guerrero, who had an outstanding series, batted .529 with three home runs and nine RBIs. He reflected on the team's unity, stating, "Everybody was just together since the first day. You could tell that something special was there."

Jeff Hoffman secured his first postseason save by retiring Austin Wells with the bases loaded in the eighth inning. This victory marks the Blue Jays' eighth appearance in the AL Championship Series, with their last pennants won in 1992 and 1993.

The Yankees, who were wild-card entrants, faced elimination for the fourth time this postseason. Ryan McMahon hit a home run, and Aaron Judge contributed an RBI single, but it was not enough to keep New York in the running. Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the defeat, saying, "We got beat here. Credit to the Blue Jays. They took it to us this series."

Despite tying Toronto for the best regular-season record in the AL at 94-68, the Yankees lost the division title in a head-to-head tiebreaker. They struggled against the Blue Jays throughout the season, finishing with a 1-8 record in Toronto and losing 11 of 17 matchups overall.

In the ninth inning, Judge's single off the left-field wall extended New York's season momentarily, but Hoffman struck out Cody Bellinger to end the game. Blue Jays players celebrated on the field, and fans chanted, "Let's go Blue Jays!"

Lukes' two-run single in the seventh inning, following an error by Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., helped solidify the Blue Jays' lead. Myles Straw added an RBI single in the eighth inning after Alejandro Kirk's leadoff double.

The Blue Jays opted for a bullpen strategy, leaving veteran starters Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt off the ALDS roster. This decision proved effective, as opener Louis Varland pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and seven relievers followed suit.

On the other hand, rookie Cam Schlittler, who had previously excelled in a playoff game against Boston, allowed four runs—two earned—over 6 1/3 innings.

Looking ahead, the Blue Jays have a favorable record against both potential ALCS opponents, going 4-3 against Detroit and 4-2 against Seattle this season. They will have their top two starters, Kevin Gausman and rookie Trey Yesavage, fully rested for the first two games of the ALCS.