GAME THREAD: AL: TORONTO (45-48) at NY YANKEES (47-44)

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - PITCHING CHANGE
TOR: BRIAN TALLET (2-2, 3.70) IN THE 8TH
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J POSADA ON FIRST, H MATSUI ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 5

DUE UP FOR NYYANKEES: R CANO (.276, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Tallet relieved B League.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J POSADA ON FIRST, H MATSUI ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1
NY YANKEES 5 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: R Cano (.276, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY ROBINSON CANO SCORED HIDEKI MATSUI.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, R CANO ON FIRST, J POSADA ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1
NY YANKEES 6 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: A PHILLIPS (.302, 1-FOR-3, 2 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 0
NY YANKEES 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 6 11 0 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - BRIAN TALLET
NYY - MARIANO RIVERA

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: V WELLS (.252, 0-FOR-4)
T GLAUS (.291, 1-FOR-4, RBI)
F THOMAS (.258, 1-FOR-3, BB)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">TORONTO (1) VS NY YANKEES (6) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 4 0 2 0 1 1 1 .233
R Clayton ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .251
A Rios rf 5 1 4 0 0 1 2 .303
V Wells cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 .252
T Glaus 3b 4 0 1 1 0 2 6 .291
F Thomas dh 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 .258
L Overbay 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 .269
A Hill 2b 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 .272
J Phillips c 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .208
a-G Zaun ph-c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .234
J McDonald ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .266
b-M Stairs ph-lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .281

Totals 33 1 10 1 5 5 27

a-flied out to center for J Phillips in the 8th; b-walked for J Mcdonald in
the 8th.

BATTING: 3B - A Rios (4, R Clemens). RBI - T Glaus (43). 2-out RBI - T Glaus.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Overbay 2, F Thomas 1, T Glaus 2, J
McDonald 2, A Rios 1. GIDP - J Phillips. Team LOB - 13.

FIELDING: DP: 3 (A Hill-J McDonald-L Overbay 2, J McDonald-A Hill-L Overbay).



NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Damon lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .236
D Jeter ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .332
B Abreu rf 4 1 2 0 0 1 2 .266
A Rodriguez 3b 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 .309
H Matsui dh 4 2 2 0 0 0 1 .286
J Posada c 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .331
R Cano 2b 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 .278
A Phillips 1b 4 0 1 2 0 0 3 .297
M Cabrera cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .279

Totals 32 6 11 6 3 2 15

BATTING: 2B - A Rodriguez (23, S Marcum). RBI - A Rodriguez 2 (92), A Phillips
2 (11), J Posada (51), R Cano (44). 2-out RBI - J Posada, R Cano. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - A Phillips 1, J Damon 1. GIDP - H Matsui, A
Phillips, A Rodriguez. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (A Rodriguez-R Cano-A Phillips).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 100 000 00 -- 1
NY YANKEES - 000 000 42 -- 6
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
S Marcum 6 5 3 3 2 1 0 3.73
S Downs 1/3 1 1 1 1 1 0 2.41
B League 1 1/3 4 2 2 0 0 0 7.71
B Tallet 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.67

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
R Clemens 6 9 1 1 1 3 0 3.88
S Proctor 2/3 1 0 0 2 1 0 3.53
M Myers 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.84
B Bruney 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.43
R Villone 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.86
M Rivera 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.26

S Marcum pitched to 3 batters in the 7th.
R Villone pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.

WP - R Clemens. Pitches-strikes: S Marcum 93-54; S Downs 17-8; B League
25-17; B Tallet 6-4; R Clemens 99-63; S Proctor 20-11; M Myers 4-3; B Bruney
9-4; R Villone 6-2; M Rivera 8-6. Ground balls-fly balls: S Marcum 9-8; S Downs
0-0; B League 3-1; B Tallet 0-1; R Clemens 6-9; S Proctor 0-1; M Myers 1-0; B
Bruney 0-1; R Villone 0-0; M Rivera 1-0. Batters faced: S Marcum 22; S Downs 3;
B League 8; B Tallet 2; R Clemens 27; S Proctor 5; M Myers 1; B Bruney 2; R
Villone 1; M Rivera 2.

UMPIRES: HP--Paul Schrieber. 1B--Tim Mcclelland. 2B--Marty Foster.
3B--Fieldin Culbreth.

Weather: 76 degrees, overcast. Wind: 6 mph, right to left.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 0
NY YANKEES 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 x 6 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TOR - SHAUN MARCUM, SCOTT DOWNS (7TH), BRANDON LEAGUE (7TH), BRIAN
TALLET (8TH) AND JASON PHILLIPS, GREGG ZAUN (8TH)

NYY - ROGER CLEMENS, SCOTT PROCTOR (7TH), MIKE MYERS
(7TH), BRIAN BRUNEY (8TH), RON VILLONE (8TH), MARIANO RIVERA
(8TH) AND JORGE POSADA

HOME RUNS: TOR - NONE

NYY - NONE</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 0
NY YANKEES 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 x 6 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TOR - SHAUN MARCUM, SCOTT DOWNS (7TH), BRANDON LEAGUE (7TH), BRIAN
TALLET (8TH) AND JASON PHILLIPS, GREGG ZAUN (8TH)

NYY - ROGER CLEMENS, SCOTT PROCTOR (7TH), MIKE MYERS
(7TH), BRIAN BRUNEY (8TH), RON VILLONE (8TH), MARIANO RIVERA
(8TH) AND JORGE POSADA


WP - MIKE MYERS (1-0)
LP - SHAUN MARCUM (5-4)
SAVE - MARIANO RIVERA (15)

HOME RUNS: TOR - NONE

NYY - NONE


TIME: 3:25 ATT: 52,147

PROBABLES: TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN (5-5, 5.05)
NYY - CHIEN-MING WANG (10-4, 3.43)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">TORONTO (1) VS NY YANKEES (6) - FINAL

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 4 0 2 0 1 1 1 .233
R Clayton ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .251
A Rios rf 5 1 4 0 0 1 2 .303
V Wells cf 5 0 0 0 0 0 6 .251
T Glaus 3b 5 0 1 1 0 2 6 .289
F Thomas dh 4 0 1 0 1 0 1 .257
L Overbay 1b 3 0 0 0 1 0 4 .269
A Hill 2b 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 .272
J Phillips c 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .208
a-G Zaun ph-c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .234
J McDonald ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .266
b-M Stairs ph-lf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .281

Totals 36 1 10 1 5 5 27

a-flied out to center for J Phillips in the 8th; b-walked for J Mcdonald in
the 8th.

BATTING: 3B - A Rios (4, R Clemens). RBI - T Glaus (43). 2-out RBI - T Glaus.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - L Overbay 2, F Thomas 1, T Glaus 2, J
McDonald 2, A Rios 1. GIDP - J Phillips. Team LOB - 13.

FIELDING: DP: 3 (A Hill-J McDonald-L Overbay 2, J McDonald-A Hill-L Overbay).



NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Damon lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .236
D Jeter ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .332
B Abreu rf 4 1 2 0 0 1 2 .266
A Rodriguez 3b 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 .309
H Matsui dh 4 2 2 0 0 0 1 .286
J Posada c 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .331
R Cano 2b 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 .278
A Phillips 1b 4 0 1 2 0 0 3 .297
M Cabrera cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .279

Totals 32 6 11 6 3 2 15

BATTING: 2B - A Rodriguez (23, S Marcum). RBI - A Rodriguez 2 (92), A Phillips
2 (11), J Posada (51), R Cano (44). 2-out RBI - J Posada, R Cano. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - A Phillips 1, J Damon 1. GIDP - H Matsui, A
Phillips, A Rodriguez. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (A Rodriguez-R Cano-A Phillips).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 100 000 000 -- 1
NY YANKEES - 000 000 42x -- 6
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
S Marcum (L, 5-4) 6 5 3 3 2 1 0 3.73
S Downs 1/3 1 1 1 1 1 0 2.41
B League 1 1/3 4 2 2 0 0 0 7.71
B Tallet 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.67

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
R Clemens 6 9 1 1 1 3 0 3.88
S Proctor 2/3 1 0 0 2 1 0 3.53
M Myers (W, 1-0) 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.84
B Bruney (H, 5) 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.43
R Villone (H, 2) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.86
M Rivera (S, 15) 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.18

S Marcum pitched to 3 batters in the 7th.
R Villone pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.

WP - R Clemens. Pitches-strikes: S Marcum 93-54; S Downs 17-8; B League
25-17; B Tallet 6-4; R Clemens 99-63; S Proctor 20-11; M Myers 4-3; B Bruney
9-4; R Villone 6-2; M Rivera 21-14. Ground balls-fly balls: S Marcum 9-8; S
Downs 0-0; B League 3-1; B Tallet 0-1; R Clemens 6-9; S Proctor 0-1; M Myers
1-0; B Bruney 0-1; R Villone 0-0; M Rivera 2-2. Batters faced: S Marcum 22; S
Downs 3; B League 8; B Tallet 2; R Clemens 27; S Proctor 5; M Myers 1; B Bruney
2; R Villone 1; M Rivera 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Paul Schrieber. 1B--Tim Mcclelland. 2B--Marty Foster.
3B--Fieldin Culbreth.

T--3:25. Att--52,147.
Weather: 76 degrees, overcast. Wind: 6 mph, right to
left.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
TORONTO 1
NY YANKEES 6 FINAL</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO (1) AT NY YANKEES (6) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TORONTO 1ST: R Johnson struck out swinging. A Rios tripled to deep left
center. V Wells popped out to first. T Glaus singled to left, A Rios scored.
T Glaus to second on wild pitch by R Clemens. F Thomas grounded out to
shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 7TH: D Jeter singled to right. B Abreu singled to right,
D Jeter to third. A Rodriguez doubled to deep left, D Jeter and B Abreu scored.
S Downs relieved S Marcum. H Matsui singled to left, A Rodriguez to third.
J Posada struck out swinging. R Cano walked, H Matsui to second. B League
relieved S Downs. A Phillips singled to left, A Rodriguez and H Matsui scored,
R Cano to second. M Cabrera flied out to left. J Damon grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, A Phillips out at second. (4 Runs, 5 Hits,
0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 4.

NY YANKEES 8TH: R Clayton at shortstop. G Zaun catching. M Stairs in left
field. D Jeter grounded out to pitcher. B Abreu singled to right. A Rodriguez
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, B Abreu out at second. H Matsui
singled to center, A Rodriguez to third. J Posada singled to left, A Rodriguez
scored, H Matsui to second. B Tallet relieved B League. R Cano singled to
right, H Matsui scored, J Posada to second. A Phillips flied out to center.
(2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 6.</div>

 

Rodriguez sparks another Yankees comeback vs. Blue Jays

<h3>NY YANKEES 6, TORONTO 1</h3>BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The ball did not quite have thedistance of another home run, but when Alex Rodriguez swung, theNew York Yankees were on their way to another victory.

Rodriguez lined a go-ahead, two-run double in the bottom of theseventh inning as the Yankees rallied for a 6-1 victory over theToronto Blue Jays in the third game of an important four-gameseries on Wednesday night.


On a day in which American League wild-card leader Cleveland washanded a 5-1 loss by Chicago and American League East Divisionfrontrunner Boston was dealt a 6-5 setback by Kansas City, NewYork was stifled for six innings by Toronto starter Shaun Marcum(5-4). The Yankees had recorded just two hits off Marcum, putfour runners on base and hit into three double plays.

In the seventh, New York's bats came alive. Derek Jeter, whowas 0-for-5 in Tuesday's comeback win, began Wednesday'suprising with a line-drive single to right field. Bobby Abreu,who had been hitless in previous 15 plate appearances, followedwith another base hit that put runners on the corners.

With virtually the entire crowd of 52,147 at Yankee Stadium onits feet, Rodriguez stepped in. Looking to atone for bouncinginto an inning-ending double play three innings earlier,Rodriguez lined a 2-1 pitch over left fielder Reed Johnson'shead.


Rodriguez's hit knocked out Marcum, who lost for just the secondtime in his last 13 starts - a stretch that includes sixscoreless innings against the Yankees on May 29 in Toronto.Lefthander Scott Downs replaced Marcum and allowed a base hit byHideki Matsui.


After retiring Jorge Posada, Downs walked Robinson Cano to loadthe bases. Brandon League, who was activated from the disabledlist Sunday, proceeded to yield a two-run single by AndyPhillips, giving New York a 4-1 advantage.


Mike Myers (1-0) recorded the final out of the seventh for thevictory. He inherited a bases-loaded situation that ScottProctor created and retired Lyle Overbay on a grounder to first.

Brian Bruney issued a leadoff walk to Aaron Hill in the eighthand was replaced with one out by Ron Villone. The lefthanderwalked pinch hitter Matt Stairs, forcing Yankees manager JoeTorre to bring in closer Mariano Rivera for a five-out save.

Rivera worked more than an inning for only the sixth time in 37appearances this season. After getting the first out, Riverastruck out Alex Rios with runners on the corners to end theeighth and set down the side in order in the ninth for his 15thsave in 17 opportunities.


The Yankees, who won their fifth in a row, gave Rivera someextra breathing room in the eighth as Posada and Cano deliveredconsecutive RBI singles.


Rios had four hits for Toronto and was involved in producing itslone run. He tripled off the left-center field wall with onein the first and scored on a two-out base hit by Troy Glaus.

That was it for Toronto, which stranded 23 runners in the firsttwo games of this series. They had nine hits in six inningsagainst future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens but stranded eightagainst the 44-year-old - and 13 overall.


In his eighth start since returning to the Yankees last month,Clemens allowed a season-high nine hits and one walk with threestrikeouts.

 

AL: TORONTO at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO (1) AT NY YANKEES (6) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Toronto Starting Lineups -- R Johnson LF, A Rios RF, V Wells CF, T Glaus 3B,
F Thomas DH, L Overbay 1B, A Hill 2B, J Phillips C, J McDonald SS, S Marcum RHP.

Ny Yankees Starting Lineups -- J Damon LF, D Jeter SS, B Abreu RF,
A Rodriguez 3B, H Matsui DH, J Posada C, R Cano 2B, A Phillips 1B, M Cabrera CF,
R Clemens RHP.

Umpires -- Paul Schrieber (HP), Tim Mcclelland (1B), Marty Foster (2B),
Fieldin Culbreth (3B).

Gametime Weather: 76 degrees, Overcast, wind right to left at 6 mph.


TORONTO 1ST: R Johnson struck out swinging. A Rios tripled to deep left
center. V Wells popped out to first. T Glaus singled to left, A Rios scored.
T Glaus to second on wild pitch by R Clemens. F Thomas grounded out to
shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 1ST: J Damon fouled out to catcher. D Jeter grounded out to
shortstop. B Abreu struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
NY YANKEES 0.

TORONTO 2ND: L Overbay popped out to second. A Hill flied out to right.
J Phillips struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 2ND: A Rodriguez walked. H Matsui grounded into double play,
second to shortstop to first, A Rodriguez out at second. J Posada flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

TORONTO 3RD: J McDonald grounded out to third. R Johnson reached on bunt
single to third. A Rios singled to center, R Johnson to second. V Wells
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, A Rios out at second, R Johnson to
third. T Glaus struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 3RD: R Cano singled to right. A Phillips grounded into double
play, shortstop to second to first, R Cano out at second. M Cabrera flied out
to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

TORONTO 4TH: F Thomas singled to right. L Overbay flied out to center.
A Hill singled to right, F Thomas to third. J Phillips grounded into double
play, third to second to first, A Hill out at second.(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 4TH: J Damon walked. D Jeter singled to center, J Damon to
third. B Abreu popped out to shortstop. A Rodriguez grounded into double
play, second to shortstop to first, D Jeter out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

TORONTO 5TH: J McDonald flied out to center. R Johnson singled to center.
A Rios singled to left, R Johnson to second. V Wells flied out to center.
T Glaus grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, A Rios out at second.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 5TH: H Matsui flied out to left. J Posada grounded out to
first. R Cano flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
NY YANKEES 0.

TORONTO 6TH: F Thomas flied out to center. L Overbay walked. A Hill
singled to left center, L Overbay to third, A Hill to second advancing on
throw. J Phillips flied out to right. J McDonald popped out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 6TH: A Phillips grounded out to shortstop. M Cabrera popped out
to first. J Damon flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
NY YANKEES 0.

TORONTO 7TH: S Proctor relieved R Clemens. R Johnson hit by pitch. A Rios
singled to center, R Johnson to second. V Wells popped out to second. T Glaus
struck out swinging. F Thomas walked, R Johnson to third, A Rios to second.
M Myers relieved S Proctor. L Overbay grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 7TH: D Jeter singled to right. B Abreu singled to right,
D Jeter to third. A Rodriguez doubled to deep left, D Jeter and B Abreu scored.
S Downs relieved S Marcum. H Matsui singled to left, A Rodriguez to third.
J Posada struck out swinging. R Cano walked, H Matsui to second. B League
relieved S Downs. A Phillips singled to left, A Rodriguez and H Matsui scored,
R Cano to second. M Cabrera flied out to left. J Damon grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, A Phillips out at second. (4 Runs, 5 Hits,
0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 4.

TORONTO 8TH: B Bruney relieved M Myers. A Hill walked. G Zaun hit for
J Phillips. G Zaun flied out to center. M Stairs hit for J McDonald. R Villone
relieved B Bruney. M Stairs walked, A Hill to second. M Rivera relieved
R Villone. R Johnson grounded into fielder's choice to third, M Stairs out at
second, A Hill to third. A Rios struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 4.

NY YANKEES 8TH: R Clayton at shortstop. G Zaun catching. M Stairs in left
field. D Jeter grounded out to pitcher. B Abreu singled to right. A Rodriguez
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, B Abreu out at second. H Matsui
singled to center, A Rodriguez to third. J Posada singled to left, A Rodriguez
scored, H Matsui to second. B Tallet relieved B League. R Cano singled to
right, H Matsui scored, J Posada to second. A Phillips flied out to center.
(2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, NY YANKEES 6.

TORONTO 9TH: V Wells flied out to center. T Glaus flied out to right.
F Thomas grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
NY YANKEES 6.</div>

 

Rodriguez sparks another Yankees comeback vs. Blue Jays

<h3>NY YANKEES 6, TORONTO 1</h3>BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The ball did not quite have thedistance of another home run, but when Alex Rodriguez swung, theNew York Yankees were on their way to another victory.

Rodriguez lined a go-ahead, two-run double in the bottom of theseventh inning as the Yankees rallied for a 6-1 victory over theToronto Blue Jays in the third game of an important four-gameseries on Wednesday night.


On a day in which American League wild-card leader Cleveland washanded a 5-1 loss by Chicago and American League East Divisionfrontrunner Boston was dealt a 6-5 setback by Kansas City, NewYork was stifled for six innings by Toronto starter Shaun Marcum(5-4). The Yankees had recorded just two hits off Marcum, putfour runners on base and hit into three double plays.

"It was a great comeback, considering Marcum was so good,"Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "He threw a lot of changeups.When he spotted the fastball, he made good pitches with it. Wejust couldn't do anything."


In the seventh, New York's bats came alive. Derek Jeter, whowas 0-for-5 in Tuesday's comeback win, began Wednesday'suprising with a line-drive single to right field. Bobby Abreu,who had been hitless in previous 15 plate appearances, followedwith another base hit that put runners on the corners.

With virtually the entire crowd of 52,147 at Yankee Stadium onits feet, Rodriguez stepped in. Looking to atone for bouncinginto an inning-ending double play three innings earlier,Rodriguez lined a 2-1 fastball over left fielder Reed Johnson'shead.


"I didn't really pay too much mind to that at-bat," Rodriguezsaid. "I was aggressive. He made two great pitches and Itrusted that I would get another opportunity to help the teamwin.


"When I had a chance earlier, I hit into a double play. Theguys did a great job of getting on base again, both Jeter andBobby."


Rodriguez's hit knocked out Marcum, who lost for just the secondtime in his last 13 starts - a stretch that includes sixscoreless innings against the Yankees on May 29 in Toronto.Lefthander Scott Downs replaced Marcum and allowed a base hit byHideki Matsui.


"You just got to look back at the seventh inning and I justmissed location (on my) pitches," Marcum said.


After retiring Jorge Posada, Downs walked Robinson Cano to loadthe bases. Brandon League, who was activated from the disabledlist Sunday, proceeded to yield a two-run single by AndyPhillips, giving New York a 4-1 advantage.


"We've been pretty good at playing nine innings," Jeter said."It feels to weird to say it like that, but we fall behind, werealize we have to (play nine). Today, we fell behind one runand we had a long way to go. Even if we're down late, we feelas though we're capable of coming back."


Mike Myers (1-0) recorded the final out of the seventh for thevictory. He inherited a bases-loaded situation that ScottProctor created and retired Lyle Overbay on a grounder to first.

Brian Bruney issued a leadoff walk to Aaron Hill in the eighthand was replaced with one out by Ron Villone. The lefthanderwalked pinch hitter Matt Stairs, forcing Torre to bring incloser Mariano Rivera for a five-out save.


Rivera worked more than an inning for only the sixth time in 37appearances this season. After getting the first out, Riverastruck out Alex Rios with runners on the corners to end theeighth and set down the side in order in the ninth for his 15thsave in 17 opportunities.


The Yankees, who won their fifth in a row, gave Rivera someextra breathing room in the eighth as Posada and Cano deliveredconsecutive RBI singles.


"They're playing good," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said."They're on a roll right now."


Rios had four hits for Toronto and was involved in producing itslone run. He tripled off the left-center field wall with onein the first and scored on a two-out base hit by Troy Glaus.

That was it for Toronto, which has stranded 36 runners in thefirst three games of this series. The Blue Jays had nine hitsin six innings against future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens butleft eight runners on base against the 44-year-old - and 13overall.


"In a one-run game in this place, you're living on the edge,"Gibbons said. "You're one pitch away, especially with thatshort porch in right field, although that was not a factortonight. They were mostly hitting it the other way."

"Marcum threw a great game," Overbay added. "We had everyopportunity. Everybody did on the team, and we just didn't doit today."


In his eighth start since returning to the Yankees last month,Clemens allowed a season-high nine hits and one walk with threestrikeouts.


"It was a great win," Clemens said. "Guys (came through) withanother hard-fought win for us. We needed it, that's for sure."