Bronx, NY (Sports Network) – Curtis Granderson doubled twice and drove in three runs, as New York beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-3, in the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
Brett Gardner hit an RBI triple and scored three runs for the Yankees, who have won seven games in a row to match a season-high set from July 3-9.
New York rookie Ivan Nova did not figure in the decision after allowing three runs and six hits over 4 2/3 innings. A quartet of relievers combined to not allow a hit the rest of the way, with Kerry Wood (3-4) being credited with the win.
The Yankees increased their lead in the AL East to two games over Tampa Bay, which plays at Baltimore later Friday.
Travis Snider went 2-for-5 with a solo home run for Toronto, which has dropped four of five.
Brandon Morrow (10-7), who made his final start of the season, gave up five runs on six hits and three walks in just three innings. Morrow suffered his first loss since June 29 at Cleveland. He had gone 5-0 with a 3.88 earned run average over his previous nine outings.
The Blue Jays are shutting down the former reliever because he has reached his innings limit for the season.
Snider’s ninth home run of the season staked Toronto to a 1-0 lead in the first, but the Yankees countered with a pair of two-run frames.
Gardner and Granderson both walked to open the bottom of the first. Mark Teixeira followed with a run-scoring double. Granderson then scored on a groundout by Robinson Cano.
Granderson plated a pair with a two-out double in the second.
Ramiro Pena singled home Jorge Posada to give the Yankees a four-run lead in the third, but Toronto cut its deficit to 5-3 in the fourth.
One run came home when Lyle Overbay and Aaron Hill hit consecutive doubles to begin the inning. Hill eventually scored on a John McDonald sacrifice fly.
The Yankees restored their four-run cushion in the sixth. Gardner knocked in Eduardo Nunez with a triple, then Granderson followed with a run-scoring double.
The Yankees have also won seven straight home games…New York finished 6- for-15 with runners in scoring position…Toronto has still won seven of 13 meetings with New York this season.