Yankees-Blue Jays: Abreu's Single Clinches Close Win

Bronx, N.Y.—Bobby Abreu was all smiles after the game on Thursday night in which he came through with a one-out, bloop RBI single in the 8th inning. 

Yankee hitters were shut down most of the night and they couldn't seem to get anything going.  Jays pitcher McGowen did a great job.

But in the sixth inning, he got in trouble. He loaded the bases with no outs.  He threw a wild pitch, bringing in the first Yankees run of the night and gave up another on a sac fly to right field by Giambi.

In a relief appearance, Brian Wolfe gave up the go-ahead run on Bobby Abreu's single.

For New York, Joba Chamberlain pitched a scoreless eighth for the win, and Mariano Rivera closed it out in the ninth.

Phillip Hughes went six strong innings for the Yankees, striking out four while giving up four hits and two runs.

Billy Traber came into the game in the seventh to face Overbay and did his job. Then Brian Bruney closed out the rest of the seventh by retiring Hill and Scutaro consecutively.

Frank Thomas was ejected earlier in the game for arguing balls and strikes.  The Yankees argued a few calls as well, but it was nothing serious.

Alex Rodriguez had a rough night at the plate, striking out once with the bases loaded and again in the eighth with two on base.  He was 0-4 on the night with 2 strikeouts.  

With Thursday's win, the Yankees got to 2-1 on the season and won their first series of the year.

The Yankees remain at home for the weekend series as they play a four-game wrap-around series against the Rays.  Andy Sonnanstine will get the nod for the Rays on Friday, while Ian Kennedy will get his first start of the year for the Yankees. 

Andy Pettitte is still on track to start on Saturday as he is recovering from a sore back.

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