A.J. Burnett wasn't spectacular Saturday evening pitching just six innings and giving up four runs on nine hits, but it was enough to help the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-3, at Yankee Stadium. Burnett (4-1) and outfielder Brett Gardner, who collected the game-winning RBI in a two-run third inning, helped the Yankees (15-9) even the three-game series at one game apiece.
Relief pitchers Joba Chamberlin, Rafael Soriano and Marino Rivera each pitched scoreless innings, respectively, to close out the victory. Rivera, who decided to wear his pants all the way down and not showcase the navy blue socks, earned his ninth save of the season, which is the most No. 42 has ever had in the month of April.
Not one Yankee collected multiple hits, but it was a string of knocks in the second and third innings that guided New York to victory. Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the second, Russell Martin, Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson each collected RBI to help the Yankees take a 3-1 advantage. In the bottom of the third, Eric Chavez and Gardner each drove in runs to increase the Yankees margin to 5-2.
Losing pitcher, Kyle Drabek (2-1) allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings for Toronto (13-14), which is 7-9 on the road this season.
On Sunday, the rubber match will feature Ivan Nova (1-2, 5.82 ERA) against Jesse Litsch (2-1, 3.86) at 1:05 p.m.