Hard-charging Yankees top Jays, pull within 7 of Red Sox

Jul 19, 2007, 14:40 GMT

Bronx, NY - Alex Rodriguez stroked a two-run double, and Andy Phillips singled in two runs, with both hits coming in the seventh inning, as the Yankees earned a 6-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hideki Matsui had a pair of hits and scored twice, as New York won for the fifth straight time and climbed within seven games of first-place Boston in the American League East. The Red Sox lost at home to Kansas City, 6-5, Wednesday night.

Roger Clemens, who made his 700th career appearance, allowed nine hits and a run over six innings, but the seven-time Cy Young Award winner was left without a decision.

Mike Myers (1-0) recorded the final out of the seventh inning to get the win as the Yankees were victorious for the 11th time in 14 contests to move a season-high four games (48-44) over .500.

The win also came on manager Joe Torre's 67th birthday, and closer Mariano Rivera threw the final 1 2/3 innings for his 15th save.

Alex Rios had four hits and scored the lone run for the Blue Jays, who need a win Thursday to avoid a four-game sweep. The Blue Jays went a dismal 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position, leaving 13 men on base.

Shaun Marcum (5-4) was saddled with the defeat after surrendering five hits and three runs over six innings.

Toronto got on the board in the second frame as Rios drove his fourth triple of the season to left with one out and scored on Troy Glaus' two-out single.

The Blue Jays failed to capitalize with the bases full in the seventh, as Myers got Lyle Overbay to ground out to end the threat.

The Yankees then sent nine men to the plate during their four-run seventh. Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu scored the tying and go-ahead runs, both singling and coming home when Rodriguez drove a double over the head of Reed Johnson in left. Scott Downs then replaced Marcum and gave up a single to Matsui. After striking out Jorge Posada, Downs walked Robinson Cano and was then lifted in favor of Brandon League. Phillips next grounded a single to left field to boost the Yankee lead to 4-1.

Toronto failed with runners at the corners in the eighth, as Rios fanned to cap the inning.

Posada and Cano had RBI singles in the bottom of the eighth before Rivera finished by retiring the side in order in the ninth.

Game Notes

The Yankees beat Toronto for the fourth straight time...Matsui has a 13-game hitting streak...Abreu's seventh-inning hit ended an 0-for-15 slump.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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