Aaron Hill had the winning hit, but Toronto’s bullpen deserved plenty of credit.
Hill singled home the winning run in the 14th inning and the Blue Jays got six innings of scoreless relief in a 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees yesterday in Toronto.
The Jays’ bullpen had consecutive tough nights in losses to Tampa Bay Tuesday and Wednesday, allowing nine runs in four innings, but bounced back against the Yankees.
Scott Downs and closer Kevin Gregg each worked one inning, while Shawn Camp and Casey Janssen (4-0) both pitched two.
Facing righthander Chad Gaudin (0-3), New York’s sixth pitcher, Edwin Encarnacion led off the bottom of the 14th with a walk, then went to second on Fred Lewis’s sacrifice. Hill followed with a single to center, scoring Encarnacion without a throw.
“[Gaudin] walked the first guy, and that’s what really hurt,’’ Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “Then he got ahead, he got where he wanted to, and he just left a slider up to Hill.’’
Gaudin struggled for words to express his disappointment.
“I let the team down, I let myself, the fans, everyone,’’ he said. “It’s tough.’’
Vernon Wells and Alex Gonzalez hit solo home runs for the Blue Jays, who lead the major leagues with 96 homers.
Yankees starter Andy Pettitte allowed two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out a season-high 10.
Rangers 6, Rays 1 — Tommy Hunter pitched a five-hitter in his season debut, Josh Hamilton homered, and host Texas beat Tampa Bay.
Hunter, who was called up from Triple A Oklahoma earlier in the day, struck out four and didn’t issue a walk. He retired 14 of the last 16 batters he faced for his second career complete game.
Sean Rodriguez homered for the Rays, who’ve lost eight of their last 12.
Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 3 — Dontrelle Willis pitched six scoreless innings and scored a run in his Arizona debut as the Diamondbacks held on to edge visiting Colorado.
Phillies 6, Padres 2 — Jamie Moyer pitched a seven-hitter and Jayson Werth homered to help host Philadelphia beat San Diego for its second straight win.
Twins 4, Athletics 3 — Matt Tolbert hit a tiebreaking two-out single in the ninth to drive in J.J. Hardy for visiting Minnesota.
Mets 6, Marlins 1 — New York’s Jonathon Niese scattered six hits over seven innings in his return from the disabled list for his first career win in nine starts at Citi Field and David Wright homered and drove in three runs.
Angels 11, Mariners 2 — Torii Hunter had three hits and three RBIs and keyed a six-run sixth inning to lead Los Angeles past host Seattle, the Angels’ ninth win in 11 games.
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