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.