Toronto, ON – Jose Bautista and J.P. Arencibia both hit two- run homers, lifting the Toronto Blue Jays over the New York Yankees, 4-1, to sweep a two-game series.
Drew Hutchison (3-1) gave up one run on five hits in six full frames for the Blue Jays, who swept the brief set after losing three in a row. The rookie right-hander walked four and fanned three.
"I thought Hutch once again kept his composure," said Blue Jays manager John Farrell. "A solid and well played game all around."
Prior to the game, Toronto third baseman Brett Lawrie decided to drop the appeal of his four-game suspension. In addition, the Blue Jays optioned struggling first baseman Adam Lind to Triple-A Las Vegas and selected the contract of Yan Gomes from Las Vegas.
The versatile Gomes played third base on Thursday, going 2-for-3 in his MLB debut. Gomes became the first Brazilian player to appear in a major league game.
Robinson Cano drove in the lone run for New York, which has lost three in a row. Phil Hughes (3-5) allowed two runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.
"It was a struggle, it was a battle, and I had to grind it out and just try to keep it somewhat close so we could come back," said Hughes of the loss. "It just wasn't in the cards."
The Yankees scored their only run in the first inning after Curtis Granderson worked a one-out walk and scored on Cano's double to left-center field. Hutchison retired the next two batters to keep it a 1-0 game.
Bautista put Toronto ahead in the third. Yunel Escobar led off with a single and crossed the plate on Bautista's homer to left.
Meanwhile, New York failed to score with runners in scoring position. The Yankees left at least one man on base in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth.
The Blue Jays had a chance to add to their lead in the sixth. Ben Francisco led off with a double down the left-field line and moved to third on Gomes' single. Cory Wade came in from the bullpen with men on the corners and one out. Rajai Davis followed with a bunt back to Wade, who went home with the throw. Francisco was tagged out at the plate and Kelly Johnson popped out to end the inning.
Arencibia's two-run homer to left in the seventh made it a 4-1 game.
Jason Frasor, Darren Oliver and Casey Janssen all tossed a scoreless inning of relief to secure the victory.
Game Notes
Hughes fell to 3-4 in 18 career meetings (11 starts) against Toronto...Janssen picked up his third save of the season...New York went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven.
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