Burnett had perhaps his worst start of the season, pitching for 2.1 innings and giving up seven runs on seven hits, including two homers.
Burnett’s disastrous five-run third inning started with a lead-off walk before he hit Yunel Escobar to set up Vernon Wells for a three-run homer.
The Jays hit a double and two singles off Burnett before Joe Girardi sent in Jonathan Albaladejo. Two fly outs proceeded to end the inning.
Before that five-inning rout the Jays scored one run in the first and second innings respectively; John Buck blasted a homer to left center field in the second inning.
The Yankees faced excellent Blue Jays starting pitching in lefty Marc Rzepczynski, who delivered nine strikeouts in five innings.
It wasn’t until Curtis Granderson broke Rzepczynski’s spell in the top of the fifth inning with a two-run homer that the Yankees looked to have a glimmer of hope against the Jays.
After a coaching visit to the mound Rzepczynski proceeded to walk Francisco Cervelli and Nick Swisher, and give up a single to Mark Teixeira. But the pinstripes couldn’t capitalize with Alex Rodriguez grounding in to a force out.
But then the Yankees got back in the game in the top of the seventh, scoring three big runs off the bat of Teixeira to bring the score to 7–5. “Tex” took advantage of Toronto’s weakest relief pitcher in Brian Tallett.
Derek Jeter got the offensive surge started by hitting a ground ball to Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay. Jeter slammed into first in the nick of time, sending himself and Overbay tumbling to the ground.
Swisher then singled on a line drive to left field, and Teixeira blasted a three-run homer to center field to bring the pinstripes back in the fight. It was the slugger’s 33rd homer of the season.
Neither team could bring in a run after that, and Jays closer Kevin Gregg sealed the win in the top of the ninth to give Toronto its fifth straight win. Gregg recorded his 36th save.
The Yankees were unable to gain ground on the Tampa Bay Rays who lost 4–0 to the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees trail the Rays by 0.5 games.
