Colon returns as starter, pitches Yankees to win

TORONTO (Reuters) - Bartolo Colon made his first start in nearly two years to help the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Colon, who had not started since July 2009 and missed all of last season, enjoyed a solid outing while surrendering two runs in 6 2/3 innings and striking out seven.

"We've seen him do it since day one of spring training," Yankees Manager Joe Girardi told reporters. "He was a power arm, but he really knew how to locate and that's what he's doing."

A former Cy Young Award winner, Colon has suffered various injuries in the past few seasons. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Yankees in the off-season and had been pitching as a reliever until the recent injury to starter Phil Hughes.

Alex Rodriguez rejoined the lineup after missing two games with a sore left side and drew two walks and recorded a sacrifice-fly RBI, and the Yankees (10-6) scored early to take a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

Curtis Granderson hit an RBI triple in the second and added a solo home run in the ninth after the Yankees had added two runs in the fifth.

New York's Mark Teixeira finished 3-for-5.

J.P. Arencibia blasted a home run in the second for the Blue Jays (8-10), who added a run in the seventh.

After blowing a two-run lead in the ninth to lose 6-5 to Toronto on Tuesday, New York rebounded with a strong bullpen performance capped by Rafael Soriano getting the final two outs of the game to pick up the save.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)