Major League Baseball

Happ's start wasted, Yankees beat Blue Jays 4-3

Published Sep. 19, 2013 12:45 a.m. ET

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The Blue Jays' bullpen couldn't close out J.A. Happ's best start of the season.

Vernon Wells had a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning, Mariano Rivera earned a four-out save and the New York Yankees rallied from three runs down to beat Toronto 4-3 Wednesday night, snapping a four-game skid.

Happ, who'd lost four of his previous five starts, found success against the Yankees by adjusting his delivery, dropping his arm slightly.

''Results-wise it was a lot better,'' Happ said. ''I don't feel it was that dissimilar from the way I've been pitching, execution-wise, but it's certainly nice to get results and get deeper into the ball game.''

Happ was denied the victory when the Yankees scored four times in the eighth.

''We (threw) it away but he's got to feel good about that outing,'' Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.

Colby Rasmus homered for the fourth straight game and Ryan Goins hit his first career homer but the Blue Jays lost for the sixth time in eight games.

Happ matched a season-high by pitching seven innings. He allowed one run and four hits in seven-plus innings, walked two and struck out a season-high seven.

''I thought he was tremendous,'' Gibbons said. ''He was a different guy tonight.''

Aaron Loup replaced Happ after Brendan Ryan doubled to begin the inning but left after giving up a single to Curtis Granderson. Steve Delabar (5-5) came on and struck out Rodriguez, then gave up an RBI single to Cano, New York's first run in 16 innings. Soriano hit an RBI double and Wells followed with a two-run double.

''That's what we're capable of doing,'' Wells said. ''We just haven't been able to do that lately. We needed a win, things have been ugly over the last few days.''

Delabar, who has taken the loss in his past three outings, said he felt bad about ruining Happ's strong performance.

''To come in and not get the job done, it's a slap in the face,'' Delabar said. ''Couldn't feel worse.''

New York is 2 1/2 games behind Texas for the second wild card. The Yankees have 10 games remaining. The Rays beat Rangers 4-3 in 12 innings.

''There's still a long way to go, but it's a lot better feeling in this clubhouse than it's been for a while,'' Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

David Huff (3-1) pitched 3 2-3 innings of relief of Phil Hughes to earn the win.

''All these games are huge,'' Huff said. ''We need to continue it, we need to keep getting after it and keep winning. There are no more little bumps in the road, it's get it done or go home.''

Alex Rodriguez went 0 for 4 with a walk as the Yankees improved to 8-2 this season following a shutout loss. New York, which lost 2-0 Tuesday, has gone 34-11 following shutout defeats since Girardi took over as manager before the 2008 season.

''We hadn't shaken hands for a while, so it was kind of nice,'' Girardi said.

David Robertson got two outs in the eighth and Rivera finished it off for his 44th save in 51 chances. Rivera entered to a standing ovation from the crowd of 24,247.

''I don't think there's any arguing who the greatest relief pitcher of all time is and that's what I went with,'' Girardi said.

Still, it wasn't easy for Rivera. Adam Lind singled to begin the ninth and was replaced by pinch-runner Kevin Pillar, who went to second when Rasmus followed with a base hit. Pillar was forced at third on pinch-hitter Munenori Kawasaki's attempted sacrifice, Goins grounded out and Rivera fanned J.P. Arencibia on three pitches to leave runners at second and third.

''Every time you win, it's a great feeling,'' Rivera said. ''Hopefully we come back tomorrow and wrap it up.''

Rasmus hit a two-run shot into the second deck off Hughes in the fourth, his 22nd of the season. One out later, Goins drilled a solo shot off Huff.

Rasmus has homered in four straight games since being activated off the 15-day disabled list before Friday's game against Baltimore. He hit a solo home run in Tuesday's 2-0 win.

Hughes, who has not won since July 2 at Minnesota, allowed two runs and four hits in 3 1-3 innings. He walked none and struck out two.

NOTES: The Blue Jays are 4-14 against the Yankees this season. ... Murphy started at catcher for the Yankees, with Chris Stewart getting the day off.

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