Tanaka, Ellsbury lead Yankees over Blue Jays
NEW YORK -- Masahiro Tanaka dodged trouble for 6 1/3 innings and three relievers combined to escape a seventh-inning jam as the New York Yankees held on for a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday afternoon.
Jacoby Ellsbury tied a season-high with three RBIs by hitting a two-run homer and an RBI single off R.A. Dickey (9-14). Rookie first baseman Tyler Austin added a two-run double which turned out to be the winning runs.
Jose Bautista had an RBI single and Edwin Encarnacion added a two-run base hit for Toronto (77-60).
The Yankees (71-65) won for only the fifth time in their last 16 home meetings with the Blue Jays and little was easy about it, especially in the seventh.
Tanaka (12-4) won his fifth straight decision by allowing two runs and seven hits. He allowed three hits in the opening inning and exited to applause to the Steve Miller band song "Abracadabra" after retiring Devon Travis on a fly ball right fielder Aaron Judge caught at the edge of the wall.
The song selection was appropriate for what unfolded next when the Yankees made three pitching changes. Jonathan Holder loaded the bases by walking Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson before Ben Heller gave up a two-run single to Edwin Encarnacion.
With runners at first and third, left-hander Tommy Layne came on to face left-handed hitting Michael Saunders. Toronto used right-handed hitting Russell Martin and the inning ended with a harmless pop-up to second base.
Tyler Clippard pitched a hitless eighth and Dellin Betances did the same in the ninth for his ninth save.
Toronto's R.A. Dickey 9-14) allowed five runs and seven hits in four innings. The veteran knuckleballer fell to 0-6 at New York since being acquired from the New York Mets following the 2012 season.
Toronto took a quick 1-0 lead when Bautista singled to right field and appeared poised for more when Encarnacion singled with one out. Bautista was thrown out at the plate by Austin on a ground ball by Saunders and Tanaka retired Kevin Pillar.
The Yankees never trailed after Ellsbury sent the first pitch from Dickey into the right field seats for his seventh home run. Two innings later, Austin led off with a double and scored on Ellsbury's single.
The lead reached 5-1 with two outs in the fourth. After Judge struck out, Austin roped a two-run double off the left field wall.
NOTES: Toronto SS Troy Tulowitzki is 0-for-7 lifetime against New York RHP Masahiro Tanaka and was given the day off. Manager John Gibbons said Tulowitzki needed a rest after going 3-for-19 in his previous five games. ... New York has not announced a starting pitcher for Wednesday but RHP Bryan Mitchell could be an option if the Yankees do not opt for a "bullpen game." Mitchell has 14 strikeouts in nine innings in two starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre and has made six minor league starts after missing four months with a toe injury. ... New York 1B Greg Bird (torn labrum) has progressed well enough to the point where is taking batting practice in the batting cage. If he doesn't haven setbacks with his shoulder or other injury, Bird is expected to face live pitching in the instructional league this month and during the Arizona Fall League.