TORONTO (Interstat) — The Toronto Blue Jays, propelled by a relentless offensive attack and a dominant pitching performance, decisively ended a seven-year postseason victory drought by overwhelming the New York Yankees 10-1 on Saturday evening in Game 1 of their American League Division Series.

A sold-out crowd of 44,655 at Rogers Centre witnessed the AL East champions snap a seven-game playoff losing streak, a skid that dated back to the 2016 AL Championship Series. The victory gives Toronto a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

The tone was set early by the heart of the Blue Jays’ order. After two quick outs in the bottom of the first inning, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched a solo home run to left field off Yankees starter Luis Gil, immediately erasing any early tension and tying the game.

An inning later, Alejandro Kirk provided the first sign of a breakout, crushing another solo shot to left field to give Toronto a lead it would not relinquish. For six innings, the game settled into a tense pitchers’ duel, with Toronto clinging to a narrow 2-1 advantage.

The Yankees’ lone run came in the top of the sixth, capitalizing on a leadoff double by Anthony Volpe and a bases-loaded walk by Cody Bellinger. The threat, however, was extinguished when Giancarlo Stanton struck out swinging, stranding three runners and preserving the Blue Jays’ slim lead.

That missed opportunity for New York proved to be the turning point. The Toronto offense, held in check since the second inning, erupted in the seventh. The floodgates opened with a two-run double from Nathan Lukes that sliced down the right-field line, scoring two. Guerrero Jr. then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home another run to cap a four-run inning that broke the game open.

The Blue Jays were not done. Kirk led off the bottom of the eighth with his second home run of the afternoon, a line drive into the left-field seats. The onslaught continued as the next five batters reached base, featuring an RBI double from Andrés Giménez and a run-scoring single from Lukes, who finished with three RBIs. A sacrifice fly by Ernie Clement brought home the tenth and final run, completing back-to-back four-run innings that turned a close contest into a laugher.

The offensive explosion was supported by a masterful outing from Toronto starter Kevin Gausman, who earned the win. Gausman navigated 5 2/3 strong innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits while striking out three. He effectively quieted a powerful Yankees lineup, handing the ball to a bullpen that delivered 3 1/3 scoreless innings to seal the victory.

Gil, the Yankees’ rookie right-hander, was charged with the loss. He lasted five-plus innings, surrendering two runs on five hits, both of which were solo home runs.

The Blue Jays’ 14-hit attack was a collective effort. Kirk led the way with his two homers, while Guerrero Jr. reached base four times with three hits, including his homer, and two RBIs. Lukes and Giménez each contributed two hits and combined for five RBIs, providing crucial production from the bottom half of the lineup.

In contrast, the Yankees’ offense was held to just six hits and went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. Their bullpen, a strength for much of the season, faltered badly, allowing eight runs over the final three innings.

The result defied pregame projections, as statistical models had favored the Yankees to win the series opener. The lopsided victory hands all momentum to the Blue Jays as the series continues Sunday in Toronto. The Yankees, who finished the regular season with a 96-70 record, will look to even the series before it shifts to New York. The Blue Jays improved to 95-68 with the win.