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Blue Jays snap winning streaks of Wang, Yankees

Aug 9, 2007 - 4:25 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Blue Jays snapped the New York Yankees' five-game winning streak in a big way.

Vernon Wells and Frank Thomas combined for seven RBI as the Blue Jays cruised to a 15-4 triumph over the Yankees on Wednesday at Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays stroked nine doubles, tying a club record set on September 19, 1993 against the Minnesota Twins.

"We came out swinging against one of the best pitchers in the league," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "We scored a lot of runs without hitting a home run - that just shows that you don't have to hit home runs to score."

Toronto pounded starter Chien-Ming Wang (13-6) for eight runs over the first three innings to salvage the finale of the three-game series.

The righthander surrendered nine hits in a season-low 2 2/3 innings, walking two while striking out three. The 27-year-old suffered his first loss in four outings and second since May 26.

"My bullpen (warmup) felt OK, but everything was down the middle," said Wang, who endured the shortest start of his career and also surrendered a career-high eight earned runs.

Yankee pitching coach Ron Guidry agreed.

"Everything he threw was right over the plate," Guidry said. "You chalk it up to one of those performances. All pitchers go through them."

Roy Halladay (13-5) took full advantage of the run support, holding the Yankees to just four runs in seven innings. The 30-year-old scattered six hits, striking out eight while walking one.

"You want to play well against the Yankees, especially after losing the first two (games)," Halladay said. "We played a good game all-around. Obviously our offense was huge and it's always nice to get that run support especially against a good pitcher; it makes my job a lot easier."

Matt Stairs went 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored in the leadoff spot for Toronto. The veteran's third-inning double was his fifth in as many at-bats, a team record. Charles Johnson of the Colorado Rockies was the last player to accomplish the feat in 2004.

"We won the game and that's all I care about," Stairs said. "I don't talk about individual stats. Maybe when I retire and sit in my wheelchair watching the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs I'll talk about it then."

Lyle Overbay, Wells and Thomas each drove in a run during Toronto's five-run third inning. Gregg Zaun capped the outburst when he ripped a two-run double down the right field line to put the Blue Jays up, 8-2, and chase Wang.

Wells fueled the Blue Jays' offense, driving in four runs while collecting three hits. Thomas also had three hits, including a pair of run-scoring doubles.

"If (Wang) made a mistake, guys capitalized on it," Wells said. "You have to do that with the great ones around the league. If they give you a chance you have to take advantage because you're not going to get many opportunities."

New York's Robinson Cano hit two home runs, giving him 13 for the season - two shy of his career high. The second baseman belted a two-run blast in the second and added a solo shot in the seventh.

"I had a couple good swings but Halladay did a good job," said Cano, whose only other two-homer game was on September 16, 2005 against Toronto. "We've just got to forget about this game and be ready for the next one."

Hideki Matsui accounted for the Yankees' other run in the seventh with his 23rd homer.

"You don't like to lose, but with Halladay on the mound you know you have to control it and we couldn't do that," New York manager Joe Torre said.