Happ wins 5th straight decision, Yankees beat Jays 6-2

TORONTO (AP) — J.A. Happ pitched seven strong innings to win his fifth straight decision, Aaron Hicks and Gio Urshela homered, and the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 Thursday night to avoid a three-game sweep.

DJ LeMahieu had three hits and two RBIs, and the Yankees snapped a three-game losing streak, their first since early April.

Happ (6-3) allowed one run and four hits, walked none and struck out four in his first start in Toronto since the Blue Jays traded him to the Yankees last July 26.

Eric Sogard ended Happ’s shutout bid with a leadoff homer in the sixth, his fifth.

Chad Green pitched the eighth but left after the first three batters reached in the ninth. Aroldis Chapman came on and got Teoscar Hernández to ground into a double play, then ended it by getting Freddy Galvis to line out. Chapman earned his 18th save in 19 opportunities.

LeMahieu is batting a major league-best .491 (26 for 53) with runners in scoring position. He’s 9 for his last 16 in such situations.

The Blue Jays were seeking their first three-game winning streak since sweeping a home series against Oakland from April 26-28.

New York opened the scoring with a four-run second against struggling Blue Jays right-hander Edwin Jackson. The spurt started when Thairo Estrada reached on a two-out throwing error by third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose throw to first struck Estrada in the helmet. Estrada was checked and remained in the game.

Cameron Maybin singled, LeMahieu hit an RBI double and Hicks followed with a three-run homer, his third.

Urshela hit a leadoff blast in the fourth, his fourth. Three batters later, LeMahieu chased Jackson with an RBI single.

Jackson (0-4) allowed six runs, two earned, in 3 1/3 innings, losing his fourth straight start. Jackson decreased his ERA to 11.90 after allowing 10 runs in his previous outing at Colorado.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: SS Gleyber Torres (left shoulder) was held out of the lineup but was available off the bench. Boone said Torres could sit Friday, too. … SS Didi Gregorius is expected to be activated off the injured list Friday and will be in the lineup against Cleveland. Gregorius has not played this season after having Tommy John surgery last October. … RHP Luis Severino (right shoulder) made 50 throws from 60 feet. He did the same Monday. … OF Aaron Judge (strained left oblique) resumed on-field batting practice Thursday at New York’s spring training facility in Tampa. … Boone said Giancarlo Stanton (left biceps strain, left shoulder) is “very close” to beginning a rehab assignment.

Blue Jays: RHP David Phelps (elbow surgery) pitched a scoreless inning at Class A Dunedin on Wednesday, his first rehab appearance. Phelps has not pitched in the majors since 2017.

OPEN SEASON

The stadium’s retractable roof was open for the first time this season, matching the latest opening date in its 30-year history. The Blue Jays didn’t play under open skies at home until June 6 in 2001.

UP NEXT

Yankees: RHP Domingo Germán (9-1, 3.66) pitches on five days rest as he starts the opener of a three-game series at Cleveland. RHP Zach Plesac (0-1, 1.46) starts for the Indians.

Blue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman (3-7, 2.84) starts the opener of the three-game series against Arizona. Stroman has a 2.25 ERA in his past four starts. RHP Merrill Kelly (5-6, 4.41) starts for the Diamondbacks.