Yanks’ streak ends at seven

It was only a matter of time before the Yankees lost a close game. Prior to tonight’s 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays (54-57), the Yankees (69-43) had won 12 of their last 14 games with the final score within three runs.

Quick ‘Cap:
Derek Jeter hit his 20th career leadoff home run to give the Yankees the early lead. After an exchange of one run in the third inning, the Blue Jays rallied for three runs off Sergio Mitre in the fourth. Two of those runs were unearned because of a throwing error by Mitre that would have ended the inning on a double play.

The Yanks tied it up at 4 with back-to-back homers in the fourth by Robinson Cano and Jerry Hairston Jr. Lyle Overbay hit a solo jack in the fifth, which proved to be the game-winner. Alfredo Aceves tossed four scoreless innings in relief, but are viewed as wasteful because he’s done for the series and the Yankees still lost. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
I can’t believe Joe Girardi didn’t have Hairston Jr. bunt Cano to third in the seventh inning. The Yankees could have easily tied the game with an out, and the run never scored and was the difference in the game.

Line of the Night:
Jeter: 3-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI. He is tied with Cano for the team-lead in batting average at .315.

Up Next:
The Yankees will look to even the series against Scott Richmond (6-6, 3.97) Tuesday night with Joba Chamberlain (8-2, 3.73) looking for his fifth straight win.