The New York Yankees picked up a crucial game today as they outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4. Going into the sixth inning, the Blue Jays had a modest lead of 4-2. In the sixth inning, the Yankees got back a run and pulled to a 4-3 deficit. In the top of the seventh inning, the Yankees scored two need runs and took a 5-4 lead. In the ninth, the Yankees closed the door by sending Mariano Rivera to the mound. He pitched a quick inning and got his 23rd save of the season.

Chien-Ming Wang pitched decently in the win. He is now 11-4. He lasted 6 innings for the Yankees and gave up 4 runs over 10 hits and one walk. It was not a pretty outing, but he got the job done. Despite giving up 10 hits, he managed to shut down five of the Blue Jays hitters.

Scott Downs picks up the loss in relief. He just could not get the job done. He came in and gave up two hits, one walk and the go ahead run. Downs did not even record a single out. He’s now 4-1 on the season in relief. Lilly started the game for the blue Jays. He went 6 innings and gave up 3 runs over 4 hits and 2 walks. He managed to record 8 strikeouts.

Perhaps the bigger story was A-Rod. He’s become an error machine and today he was put in the DH spot to stop the pain. Unfortunately, he went 0-4 and was a non-factor in the win. A-Rod has been mentioned in many trade winds rumors of late. Who would want his contract though? There’s no way the Yankees let him go to an American League team and there’s no team in the National League likely to eat up that contract—save the New York Mets perhaps.

The Yankees picked up a game on the division leading Red Sox who lost today to the Seattle Mariners.