TORONTO — Robinson Cano hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the eighth inning and the New York Yankees rallied past the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Vernon Wells' two-run homer in the sixth was the only hit allowed by Yankees starter Javier Vazquez (5-5) in seven outstanding innings. But New York's power-packed lineup managed just three runs in the first 30 innings of the series before scoring four times in the eighth.
The comeback spoiled a fine outing by Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow, who didn't allow a run through the first seven innings and left to a standing ovation after hitting Francisco Cervelli in the shoulder with a pitch to begin the eighth.
Scott Downs (1-5) came on and plunked Brett Gardner, then gave up an RBI double to Derek Jeter.
Jason Frasor replaced Downs and struck out Nick Swisher on a check-swing. Yankees manager Joe Girardi came out to argue the call and was ejected by plate umpire Bruce Dreckman. Girardi kicked the dirt on either side of home plate and held his fingers apart in front of Dreckman's face before leaving the field.
Mark Teixeira was walked intentionally, and the tying run scored on Frasor's two-strike wild pitch to Alex Rodriguez that got past catcher Jose Molina.
Rodriguez struck out, but Cano lined a single to left, scoring Jeter and Teixeira.
Vazquez didn't give up a hit through the first 5 2/3 innings, but Wells ended that with a two-run shot to left on an 0-2 pitch, his 15th. Vazquez walked four and struck out a season-high nine.
Joba Chamberlain replaced Vazquez in the eighth but gave up a double to Molina and an RBI single to Fred Lewis, cutting it to 4-3, then left after Aaron Hill grounded into a double play.
Bench coach Tony Pena, filling in for Girardi, came out of the dugout and motioned to the bullpen with his left hand – but right-hander Mariano Rivera came jogging in from the bullpen. After Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston spoke with the umpires, they huddled and concluded that lefty Damaso Marte had been called for instead.
Rivera walked back to the right-field bullpen, crossing paths with Marte on the way, and watched as Marte struck out Adam Lind to end the inning.
Rivera returned in the bottom of the ninth and closed it out for his 13th save in 14 chances.
Morrow allowed one run and four hits in seven-plus innings. He walked one and struck out eight.
Notes:
Teixeira, who was 0-for-6 with five strikeouts in Saturday's 14-inning loss, went 0-for-4 with an intentional walk, dropping his average to .211. … Ramiro Pena replaced Rodriguez at third base in the ninth. … Girardi said Jorge Posada (foot), limited to a DH role since coming off the disabled list last week, could resume catching drills during a series in Baltimore that begins Tuesday. … Toronto 3B Edwin Encarnacion (sore legs) was held out of the lineup. Jose Bautista replaced Encarnacion, with Jeremy Reed starting in RF. … Blue Jays INF John McDonald has been away from the team all weekend to be with his father, who is ill.