World Series MVP Godzilla Hideki Matsui's ceremonial first pitch was futile as the Yankees were eliminated by the Blue Jays.

Following their loss to the Dodgers in last year's World Series, the Yankees started this season’s playoffs from the AL Wild Card round. Despite knocking out the Boston Red Sox in the heated rivalry to reach the AL Division Series, they fell into a precarious situation after dropping the first two games to the Toronto Blue Jays. In the crucial fourth game, the Yankees invited 2009 World Series MVP “Godzilla” Hideki Matsui to throw the ceremonial first pitch. However, with the Blue Jays employing a bullpen rotation strategy, the Yankees managed only six scattered hits throughout the game and ultimately lost 2-5, ending their postseason run with a 1-3 series defeat.

The Blue Jays exploded offensively in the first inning, with leadoff hitter George Springer opening with a double, followed by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. delivering a timely hit to put the team ahead early.

The Yankees evened the score in the third inning when Ryan McMahon launched a solo home run to right field, tying the game at 1-1.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Blue Jays struck again. After Ernie Clement reached base with a hit, Andrés Giménez followed with a grounder through the middle, putting runners on first and third. Springer then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in the go-ahead run, giving Toronto a 2-1 lead.

In the seventh inning, the Blue Jays aimed to extend their lead. Clement once again got a hit to get on base, and although Giménez’s ground ball could have resulted in a double play, Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. made a fielding error. The Yankees promptly replaced starter Cam Schlittler with Devin Williams. Williams struck out Springer but then gave up a right-field single to Nathan Lukes, allowing two runs to score and widening the gap to 4-1.

In the bottom of the seventh with two outs and runners on first and second, the Yankees threatened, but Blue Jays shortstop Giménez made a diving catch on an out-of-play line drive from Trent Grisham, helping pitcher Brendon Little escape the jam.

In the top of the eighth, the Blue Jays kept the pressure on. Catcher Alejandro Kirk hit a double and advanced to third on a deep fly ball from a teammate. Myles Straw then added a line drive single to bring in another run. After Camilo Doval hit Clement with a pitch and was forced to leave the game, David Bednar came in and successfully stopped the Blue Jays’ momentum, with Toronto leading 5-1.

In the ninth inning, Lukes hit another extra-base hit. Guerrero Jr. grounded out, Addison Barger struck out, and Kirk also struck out, preventing the Yankees from surrendering any more runs.

In the final half-inning, the Yankees refused to go quietly. Jasson Domínguez led off with a double, followed by a hit from captain Aaron Judge that brought in the second run. However, Cody Bellinger struck out looking for the final out, sealing a 5-2 victory for the Blue Jays, who advanced to the AL Division Championship Series to face the winner between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers.