Late power surge makes Halladay a loser

The Yankees (64-42) used three solo homers in the eighth and ninth innings to beat Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays (51-55) 5-3. Halladay is now 16-6 in his career against the Yankees.

Quick ‘Cap:
Alex Rodriguez was clutch (I said it, clutch), in the first inning when he doubled home Johnny Damon and scored from second on a misplay by Halladay at first base. Alex Rios gave the Jays their only run off Andy Pettitte when a fly ball scored Aaron Hill in the fourth.

Damon and Mark Teixeira hit back-to-back (belly-to belly) homers off Halladay with two out in the eighth inning to give the Yanks a 4-1 lead. Hughes, who bailed out Pettitte in the seventh, surrendered two singles and struck out the next two men in the eighth, but was still yanked for Mariano Rivera. Rivera promptly allowed a two-run double to Vernon Wells, but got Rios to ground out.

Hideki Matsui smoked Halladay’s first pitch of the ninth inning over the wall in center field. Rivera did his thing in the ninth for the 31st time this season. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
I was really surprised to see the Yankees jack three homers off Halladay, and even more impressed by Pettitte’s superb pitching. However, Pettitte’s four walks is one more than his total from his prior three starts, and his six strikeouts are his lowest total from his prior three starts.

Line of the Night:
A-Rod: 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI. He is six for his last 17 with two doubles and three RBI.

Up Next:
With the Red Sox loss, the Yankees are guaranteed to be in first place heading into the big four-game series this weekend. But first, the Yankees can complete the sweep of the Blue Jays Wednesday night. Sergio Mitre (1-0, 7.90) and  Matt Rzepczynski (1-2, 3.25) will square off in game two.