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Abreu's late RBI single sends Yankees past Blue Jays

Apr 4, 2008 - 4:00 AM By Larry Fleisher PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- After his first managerial victory, Joe Girardi was pleased with some of the little things the New York Yankees did. For his second win, the Yankees did more of the same to get a close decision.

Bobby Abreu's bloop single with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning snapped a tie and lifted the Yankees to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night.

The Yankees rallied from a 2-0 deficit by not waiting for home runs, which often had happened in the past few seasons. They scored two runs without a hit in the sixth against Dustin McGowan and set up Abreu's winning single by successfully executing a pair of sacrifices.

"Getting two bunts down there in the eighth inning proved to be the difference for us," New York's Johnny Damon said.

Tuesday's win featured solid defense and baserunning that saw players score from first base. In this one, the Yankees picked up their second triumph without scoring more than three runs.

A year ago, New York did not record its second victory when being held to three runs until June 29.

"You get in tight games and you're going to have to be able to execute and score runs and tie the ballgame and take the lead," Girardi said. "We're not afraid to do that. Guys can handle the bat here, and the closer (Mariano Rivera) has had a lot of success over the years, so you feel really good when you (have) a lead in the ninth."

Melky Cabrera, who homered and made two spectacular catches in Tuesday's win, started the rally with a single to right off Brian Wolfe (0-1). He moved to second when Damon sacrificed and reached on an error by Scott Downs.

The runners advanced when Derek Jeter got down another sacrifice, almost beating Downs' throw to first. Four pitches later, Abreu - who ended a rally in the sixth by getting doubled off second base on Jason Giambi's sacrifice fly - lifted a base hit into center field.

"We know they have pretty good pitchers," Abreu said. "We didn't score many runs tonight, and when we do the little things - move the bunt for a sacrifice, move the runners - (we can win games). In that situation, I was just trying to put the ball in play, and finally, I did. We just get the run and the game was very close."

Joba Chamberlain (1-0), who allowed a hit in the eighth, picked up the victory. Rivera surrendered a leadoff single by Vernon Wells in the ninth but stranded him at third in notching his second save in as many opportunities.

Both starters produced identical lines to conclude the series that featured solid starts from Toronto's A.J. Burnett and Roy Halladay as well as New York's Chien-Ming Wang.

"We played some good baseball," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "I thought we left all those tight ballgames behind."

McGowan, who battled flu-like symptoms Wednesday, allowed two runs and four hits in six innings. New York's Phil Hughes also worked six frames, yielding two runs and four hits.

"I kind of got a taste of what it takes to go through a long season last year," Hughes said. "I spotted my fastball pretty well, for the most part. That's pretty much the key for me - when I get ahead with my fastball."

"I pitched against (Hughes) a couple of times in Class AAA," McGowan said. "He's a good pitcher. We'll have a couple of more duels, I think."

David Eckstein contributed to Toronto's first two runs. He scored on Alex Rios' RBI single in the fourth and also delivered a run-scoring base hit in the fifth.

Toronto designated hitter Frank Thomas was ejected by plate umpire Bill Miller for arguing a close third strike to end the fourth. Thomas thought he had drawn a walk and was heading to first before Miller called him out.

"It happens every now and then," Gibbons said. "It's healthy. Sometimes you get frustrated and don't agree with the call. It's OK to be emotional."