Blue Jays 4, Yankees 2
TORONTO -- David Price pitched seven scoreless innings to win his fourth consecutive start, and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 4-2 Monday night.
By winning the opener of the three-game series, the Blue Jays (86-64) increased their lead over the second-place Yankees (82-67) in the American League East to 3 1/2 games.
Price (17-5) allowed two hits, walked one and struck out six to improve his record to 8-1 in his 10th start since joining Toronto in a trade with the Detroit Tigers on July 30.
Right-hander Roberto Osuna pitched the ninth inning to earn his 17th save of the season despite allowing a two-out home run to first baseman Greg Bird, his ninth of the season.
Yankees right-hander Adam Warren (6-7) allowed five hits, one walk and three runs over 3 1/3 innings. He struck out five.
The Blue Jays took a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Left fielder Ben Revere led off with a single, and third baseman Josh Donaldson was hit by a pitch. Right fielder Jose Bautista grounded an RBI single up the middle.
The runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion grounded out to shortstop to score the second run. First baseman Justin Smoak doubled to right to give Toronto a three-run lead.
The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the third when second baseman Dustin Ackley reached first base on an error by second baseman Cliff Pennington, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury singled and left fielder Brett Gardner walked.
Price struck out designated hitter Alex Rodriguez on a 3-2 cutter and retired catcher Brian McCann on a line drive to center field to end the threat.
The Blue Jays added to the lead in the seventh when they loaded the bases with no outs.
Donaldson led off with a walk against right-hander Branden Pinder, and Bautista doubled. Encarnacion was intentionally walked.
Right-hander Andrew Bailey entered and retired first baseman Justin Smoak on a foul to first before catcher Russell Martin lined a sacrifice fly to center to increase the margin to 4-0.
Right-hander Aaron Sanchez replaced Price in the eighth inning. He allowed a walk to shortstop Didi Gregorius and a single to Ackley, leaving runners at the corners for left-hander Brett Cecil.
Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury greeted Cecil with an RBI single. Left fielder Brett Gardiner was called out on a third strike, which he protested, and Rodriguez and McCann each struck out swinging.
NOTES: Yankees RHP Nathan Eovaldi still has inflammation in his right elbow, making his return for the regular season more unlikely. He must wait another week before throwing. ... Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup Monday after missing three starts in the interleague series against the Mets at Citi Field because the DH is not used in National League parks. ... Toronto LHP Mark Buehrle is 14 2/3 innings short of reaching 200 innings pitched for the 15th straight season with two scheduled starts remaining in the regular season. Manager John Gibbons suggested Monday that Buehrle could also start the final game of the season if he needs it to reach the 200-inning plateau, depending on the Blue Jays' situation in the standings. ... Yankees RHP Luis Severino (4-3, 3.12 ERA) will start Tuesday against Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.14).