McCann, Whitley Lead Yanks Over Blue Jays 7-3

Facing one of the AL’s best pitchers in Mark Buehrle, the Yankees needed to get on the board early if they wanted to win. They achieved this goal quickly as the Yankees opened the game’s scoring with a two out RBI single by Alfonso Soriano in the bottom of the first.

Chase Whitley was dealing through the first three innings scattering just two hits with no damage done. However the Blue Jays broke through against the righty in the fourth inning with back to back two out RBI singles from Dioner Navarro and Colby Rasmus to make it 2-1.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Yankees roared right back with a lead off single from Carlos Beltran and then a two run bomb to right from catcher Brian McCann. That is the combo the Yankees have been hoping for since those two were signed this off season.

Whitley’s night was done after the fifth as he went five innings and gave up two runs. He also ended his walk-less streak in his final frame of work, his first in five starts.

McCann’s night wasn’t done however as he struck again in the seventh inning where the Yankees pulled away. Following three singles from Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Mark Teixeira, Ichiro Suzuki worked a bases loaded walk to make it 4-2. With two outs and the bases loaded, McCann cleared them all with a triple to center to put the Yankees lead at a 7-2 advantage.

The Blue Jays gave some fight in the top of the eight as Melky Cabrera and Jose Bautista connected on back to back doubles to make it 7-3. Dellin Betances was brought in to clean up Jose Ramirez‘s mess and he did so by striking out two in his inning of work. Toronto didn’t put up much of a fight in the ninth as David Robertson retired the side to pick up his 18th save of the season.

The Yankees have now clinched the series against the Blue Jays and look to sweep tomorrow with David Phelps on the mound. Don’t look now but Toronto’s lead is getting smaller and smaller.