Jose Bautista scores a run behind New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann during the third inning of Thursday’s game.Adam Hunger
J.A. Happ pitched seven strong innings, Edwin Encarnacion and Devon Travis had two-out RBIs, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Yankees 3-1 on Thursday to win the three-game series.
CC Sabathia was the tough-luck loser for New York, allowing just two unearned runs. Alex Rodriguez went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in his first game since going on the disabled list May 4 with a strained right hamstring.
Happ (6-2) allowed one run on three hits in seven innings with five strikeouts and three walks. He has given up three earned runs or fewer in 19 of his last 20 starts.
Sabathia (3-3) retired the first seven batters before an error by shortstop Didi Gregorius on Travis' grounder with one out in the third.
Sabathia retired No. 9 hitter Darwin Barney on a lineout, but then a single by Jose Bautista and a walk to Josh Donaldson loaded the bases with two outs. Encarnacion singled to left for the 2-1 lead.
Travis singled with two outs in the ninth off Aroldis Chapman to drive in Justin Smoak for the insurance run.
Roberto Osuna pitched a perfect ninth for his 10th save.
Starlin Castro, 1 for 11 in his previous three games, hit a two-out solo homer in first for the Yankees' only scoring.
Sabathia allowed two hits and a walk in seven innings, striking out seven to tie Chuck Finley for 23th place on the all-time list with 2,610. In two starts since coming off the disabled list, he has given up just one earned run in 13 innings.
The Yankees had runners on first and second with one out in the fifth. But No. 9 hitter Austin Romine, starting in place of Mark Teixeira at first base, grounded into an inning-ending double play. Jacoby Ellsbury led off the eighth with a pinch-hit infield single and moved to second with one out, but Gavin Floyd retired Aaron Hicks and Castro to protect the lead.