Jays play spoiler’s role, hand Yankees costly loss

Toronto, Canada (4E Sports) – Adeiny Hechavarria hit a tie-breaking RBI double in the sixth and Shawn Hill pitched three hitless innings of relief as the Toronto Blue Jays played the spoiler’s role by handing the New York Yankees a costly 3-2 defeat Saturday at Rogers Centre.

The defeat was costly for the Yankees, who squandered a 2-0 lead in the first inning, as their lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East dwindled to a half-game. The Orioles have a chance to join the Yankees atop the leaderboard with a victory over the Boston Red Sox later.

With the game locked at two and two runners on, Hechavarria bashed a 1-1 fastball from Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain to right-field wall, bringing Yunel Escobar home for a 3-2 lead.

The Blue Jays maintained the lead thanks to an outstanding effort by their relievers.

Hill (1-0) pitched three hitless innings in relief of starter Ricky Romero, who exited with left knee discomfort after three frames.

Relievers Brad Lincoln, Aaron Loup and Steve Delabar held the Yankees scoreless in the seventh and eighth before Casey Janssen pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save in 24 opportunities.

Romero put the Blue Jays in an early hole, surrendering RBI sacrifice flies to Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson that gave the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom part of the opening frame, Rajai Davis retaliated by sending 3-2 offering from Yankees starter Andy Pettitte over the fence in left field for his eighth homer of the season to cut the deficit to one.

In the third inning, Romero loaded the bases with no outs before he was pulled out with an injury during an at-bat with Andruw Jones and did not return.

Davis tied the score at two in the fifth with an infield single that scored Jeff Mathis, marking his seventh consecutive at-bat with a hit, one short of the franchise record.

In his first appearance of the season, Hill took the mound in the fourth and pitched three hitless innings for his first victory since Sept. 23, 2010.

A win over the Yankees Sunday would give the Blue Jays their first series victory since they swept Boston from Sept. 7-9.

In his third start since returning from the disabled list, Pettitte (5-4) suffered the loss after giving up three earned runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

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