Yankees 10, Blue Jays 7: New York Earns Sweep Behind 7-Run 4th Inning

Nick Swisher's grand slam in a mammoth seven-run fourth inning Thursday propelled the New York Yankees past the visiting Toronto Blue Jays, 10-7, at Yankee Stadium. The victory helped the Yankees (86-63) earn a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays (66-82) and increase their lead in the AL East standings to one full game ahead of the idle Baltimore Orioles (85-64). New York has won nine of its last 12 games.

Yankees' outfielder Ichiro Suzuki continued his torrid hitting streak going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI, two of which came during the big seventh inning while the other came via a solo home run in the third. Suzuki finished the series 9-for-12 with four runs, four RBI and four stolen bases.

New York's offense chased Toronto's starting pitcher Aaron Laffey (3-6) after just three innings of work that featured five runs (four earned) on two hits and five walks.

Winning pitcher Phil Hughes (16-12) tossed five innings allowing four runs on four hits while striking out nine batters. Hughes won his third straight game after the Yankees bullpen was able to hang on to the lead. Reliever David Robertson collected his third save of the season pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

For more on the Yankees, visit the SB Nation blog Pinstriped Bible while Bluebird Banter is all about the Blue Jays.

Ichiro Turns Back Clock When Yankees Need It Most -- VIDEO

Ichiro went 7-for-8 Wednesday as the Yankees won a pair of critical games from the Toronto Blue Jays to take a half-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. He provided heroics at bat and in the field, and electricity on the bases with four steals.

Yankees Vs. Blue Jays Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers And More

After taking two from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, the New York Yankees look to extend their current four game winning streak Thursday and sweep their division foe.

Philip Hughes (15-12) will face Aaron Laffey (3-5) in the Blue Jays final game at Yankees Stadium this season.

Despite the Yankees' current streak, which includes winning six of their last seven, the Baltimore Orioles have kept pace with the Pinstripes, meaning a solid outing from a consistently inconsistent Hughes before a weekend series against the Wild Card hunting Oakland A's is imperative.

With closer Rafael Soriano saving both games on Wednesday with two innings pitched., expect manager Joe Girardi to make him unavailable for Thursday's series finale.

Currently, the Yankees hold a one game lead over the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East.

Time and Date: Thursday Sept. 19, 7:05 p.m.

Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.

TV: YES, MY9 (New York), SN, SN-1 (Toronto)

Radio: WCBS (New York)

For more Yankees coverage, check out Pinstriped Bible.

Yankees 2, Blue Jays 1, Game 2: New York Sweeps Doubleheader

The New York Yankees took care of business in the second game of their doubleheader on Wednesday night, beating the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-1, to take both ends of the day.

David Phelps led the way with a very solid pitching performance. The youngster was able to go 6 2/3 innings and only allowed one run on three hits and as many free passes. Phelps also had good stuff, evidenced by his six strikeouts.

Phelps earned a no-decision, however, as the game remained tied at one until the eighth inning. Ichiro Suzuki came up big to drive home the winning run on an RBI single, plating Curtis Granderson.

Cody Eppley received the win, his first of 2012.

With the victory, the Bronx Bombers move a full game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles who are currently in progress at Safeco Field against the Seattle Mariners.

For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstripe Bible and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

VIDEO: Andy Pettitte Discusses Victorious Return

Andy Pettitte of the New York Yankees was victorious in his return from a broken ankle, pitching five shutout innings Wednesday as the Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-2, in the first game of a day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.

"It was great to just get back out there," said Pettitte. "And obviously it was great to give us a decent outing and give us a chance to win."

Pettitte, 4-3, surrendered four hits, walked two and struck out three.

"All in all it was good. I was able to make some pitches when I had to to get out of some innings," Pettite said. "It's a good win. I'll take it."

So will the Yankees, who temporarily moved a half-game in front of the Baltimore Orioles with the victory,

Below, Pettitte discusses his return.

Be sure to come back to SB Nation New York to find out how the Yankees fare in the second game of the doubleheader.

Blue Jays Vs. Yankees: Game 2 Lineups

The New York Yankees won the first half of their Wednesday doubleheader ,4-2, over the Toronto Blue Jays. They did it behind a strong first inning and terrific pitching from Andy Pettitte.

Now, the Bronx Bombers are getting their captain back in the lineup with a chance to sweep the day. Derek Jeter sat out the afternoon portion of Wednesday's action thanks to a bothersome ankle, but is back for the nightcap.

The top of New York's order will remain virtually unchanged with the obvious exception of the lead-off spot. The Blue Jays are the exact same in positions one through four, with the middle of the lineup being altered somewhat.

Toronto:

1. Rajai Davis (R) RF
2. Colby Rasmus (L) CF
3. Brett Lawrie (R) 3B
4. Adam Lind (L) DH
5. J.P. Arencibia (R) C
6. Kelly Johnson (L) 2B
7. Yan Gomes (R) 1B
8. Adeiny Hechavarria (R) SS
9. Anthony Gose (L) LF

New York:

1. Derek Jeter (R) SS
2. Nick Swisher (S)RF
3. Robinson Cano (L) DH
4. Alex Rodriguez (R) 3B
5. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
6. Jayson Nix (R) 2B
7. Casey McGehee (R) 1B
8. Ichiro Suzuki (L) LF
9. Chris Stewart (R) C

For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstriped Bible and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Yankees 4, Blue Jays 2, Game 1: Andy Pettitte Earns The Win

The New York Yankees took the first game of their doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, winning 4-2 in Yankee Stadium.

Andy Pettitte made his return to the rotation after fracturing his ankle on a line drive back on June 27. The 40-year-old was stellar, only allowing four hits and two walks in five shutout innings while striking out three. Pettitte was on a strict pitch-count, only throwing 75 pitches in the contest.

Pettitte's team gave him all the run support he would need in the first inning off of Anderson Alvarez, scoring a trio of runs. The big blow in the frame was a two-run double of the bat of Robinson Cano, followed by an Alex Rodriguez RBI groundout and Curtis Granderson sacrifice fly.

Toronto made it close in the eighth inning with a pair of runs off of David Robertson. However, Rafael Soriano came in and shut the door with runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs.

New York would add an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on a Nick Swisher single to make the final score 4-2.

With the win, the Yankees move a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles who play at 10:10 p.m. ET against the Seattle Mariners. The Tampa Bay Rays are now 6.5 games back, well off the pace in the AL East.

For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstripe Bible and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Yankees Vs. Blue Jays: Game 1 Line-Ups

The New York Yankees will host the Toronto Blue Jays in a day-night double-header on Wednesday due to the rainout on Tuesday night. New York will enter the game tied with the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League's East division and will look to distance themselves with a strong showing against Toronto, who is currently in the division's cellar.

Here are the projected starting lineups for Game 1 via BaseballPress.com:

Yankees

1. Ichiro Suzuki (L) LF
2. Nick Swisher (S) 1B
3. Robinson Cano (L) 2B
4. Alex Rodriguez (R) DH
5. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
6. Russell Martin (R) C
7. Eric Chavez (L) 3B
8. Raul Ibanez (L) RF
9. Eduardo Nunez (R) SS

Starter: Andy Pettitte (3-3, 3.22 ERA)

Blue Jays

1. Rajai Davis (R) RF
2. Colby Rasmus (L) CF
3. Brett Lawrie (R) 3B
4. Adam Lind (L) 1B
5. Jeff Mathis (R) C
6. Moises Sierra (R) DH
7. Omar Vizquel (S) 2B
8. Adeiny Hechavarria (R) SS
9. Anthony Gose (L) LF

Henderson Alvarez (9-12, 4.91 ERA)

For more Yankees coverage, check out Pinstriped Bible.

Yankees Vs. Blue Jays Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers And More

After rain postponed Andy Pettitte's return to the mound after injury, the New York Yankees will send Pettitte to the hill Wednesday to start the early game of a day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium against the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m.

"I just want to go out there and pitch, and hopefully give this team a chance to win that ballgame [Wednesday], and move forward from there," Pettitte told the team's website.

The Yankees will now play their final 16 games consecutively, playing nine of their final contests at home in the Bronx.

David Phelps (4-4, 3.39 ERA) will pitch the nightcap for New York. Phelps, a rookie right-hander, is the pitcher Pettitte is actually replacing in the Yankees' rotation. The Blue Jays will counter on Wednesday afternoon with Henderson Alvarez after Ricky Romero was scheduled to start on Tuesday night.

The Yankees are tied with the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East.

Time and Date: Wednesday Sept. 19, 1:05 p.m., 7:05 p.m.

Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.

TV: YES, MY9 (New York), SN, SN-1 (Toronto)

Radio: WCBS (New York)

For more Yankees coverage, check out Pinstriped Bible.

Brett Gardner Injury Update: Outfielder Nearing Return, But No Hitting

Brett Gardner's return for the New York Yankees is imminent, although the outfielder will only be available as a defensive replacement and pinch runner.

Gardner suffered a bruised elbow back in April that refused to heal, forcing him to the disabled list and eventually requiring arthroscopic surgery in July that seemed like it would shut him down for the rest of the season. That wasn't the case, as Gardner will definitely be returning to the Yankees by the end of the season. However, he won't be swinging a bat: after re-injuring himself several times trying to do so in rehab stints, Gardner will be available only as a fielder and pinch runner. Joe Girardi wouldn't rule out the option of Gardner potentially landing on the team's postseason roster when he comes back.

He'll be useful in both roles: Gardner tied for the American League lead in steals last season with 49, and is a defensive improvement over Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez at this point in their careers. Gardner has become less of a necessity for the Yankees with those two in the lineup, considering the midseason addition of Ichiro Suzuki in the outfield.

For more on the Yankees, head over to Pinstriped Bible and continue to check out SB Nation New York for the latest news and updates.

Yankees Vs. Blue Jays: Game 1 Postponed Due To Weather

Game 1 of the three-game series between the New York Yankees and the visiting Toronto Blue Jays has been postponed Tuesday due to bad weather that has been soaking the East Coast all day. The postponement means the return of veteran pitcher Andy Pettitte will be pushed back until Wednesday afternoon when the Yankees (83-63) and Blue Jays (66-79) will make up the game as a part of a day-night, separate admission doubleheader.

First pitch for the day game will be at 1:05 p.m. ET, while the night cap will start at 7:05 p.m. Pettitte (3-3) will make his return from a two-month stint on the disable list because of a fractured ankle in Game 1, while rookie David Phelps (4-4) will pitch in Game 2.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is suppose to be much better as its predicted to be 70-degrees, partly cloudy with only a 10-percent chance of rain.

For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstriped Bible.

Andy Pettitte: Pennant Race Is 'What You Come Back For'

Andy Pettitte is scheduled to return to the New York Yankees Tuesday night.

Yankees Vs. Blue Jays Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers And More

The Yankees begin a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday as Andy Pettitte makes his first start in over two months.