Yankees hold off Jays; inch closer to another AL East crown

Sep 19, 2006, 2:55 GMT

Toronto, ON - Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter each clubbed a two-run homer to lead the New York Yankees to a 7-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game set at the Rogers Centre.

Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui each had two hits for the Yankees, who snapped a two-game losing skid. Darrell Rasner (3-0) picked up the win, giving up three runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings.

New York's magic number dropped to three to win its ninth straight AL East title.

'We want to get as many wins as possible,' said Rodriguez. 'We want to clinch (the division) and get home-field advantage, which is the most important going into the postseason. A.J. (Burnett) was tough. He was blowing us down, then we got a bloop and a blast by our captain and we were back in the game. Credit Rasner for keeping us in the game too.'

Reed Johnson drove in two runs while extending his hitting streak to nine games and Troy Glaus homered for the Blue Jays, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Burnett (8-7) was saddled with the loss, yielding four runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out seven in seven innings.

Trailing 3-2 in the seventh, Aaron Guiel doubled and came around to score on Jeter's 14th homer of the campaign, a shot to left-center on a 3-0 count for a 4-3 margin.

With Scott Proctor on the mound, the Blue Jays put runners on first and second with one out but pinch hitter Gregg Zaun popped out and Johnson flew out to left.

Cano began the ninth with a double off of Brandon League, moved to third on Matsui's ground out and scored on Aaron Hill's throwing error on a Bernie Williams grounder up the middle. Bobby Abreu's run-scoring base hit scored Melky Cabrera, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the frame.

Jeremy Accardo replaced League and after a double steal by Jeter and Abreu, intentionally walked Rodriguez to load the bases. Andy Phillips then drew a walk for a 7-3 advantage.

Ron Villone came in to start the ninth but gave up hits to Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay. Octavio Dotel relieved Villone and after falling behind Glaus, the third baseman greeted him with a three-run home run to right-center.

Mike Myers got out pinch hitter John Hattig but Jason Phillips then singled. Jose Veras became the fourth pitcher of the frame and he retired Hill for his first career save.

Toronto had a golden opportunity in the first inning to take an early lead, loading the bases with nobody out. However, Rasner settled down, getting Overbay and Glaus to pop out before Bengie Molina struck out to end the threat.

The Blue Jays got on the board first with a run in the second inning. Adam Lind and Hill singled to begin the frame before John McDonald dropped a sac bunt. Johnson followed with a run-scoring ground out.

Toronto extended its lead to 3-0 in the third on a McDonald triple, plating Hill, and an RBI-double by Johnson.

The Yankees finally got on the board with a pair of runs in the sixth. Abreu singled and scored moments later as Rodriguez crushed a 1-0 offering into the seats in left-center for his 34th homer of the season.

Game Notes

New York's Jeff Karstens (1-1) toes the rubber against Sean Marcum (2-4) on Tuesday.

New York outfielder Johnny Damon was thrown out of the game by home plate umpire Bill Miller in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes, while in the on-deck circle, after Matsui struck out on a check swing.

Molina has an eight-game hitting streak.

Jeter needs two hit to reach the fifth 200- hit season of his career.

Glaus has hit six homers against the Yankees this season.

Rodriguez's homer was the 463rd of his career, moving him into 29th place on the all-time list. He is one shy of Dave Winfield.

© 2006 The Sports Network