Blue Jays pitchers earn the win in battle of empty bats

The Toronto Blue Jays are heading home with a series win after beating the New York Yankees 2-1 on Thursday evening.

Starter J.A. Happ was excellent once again for Toronto, allowing just one earned run on three hits over seven innings on 96 pitches. This start lowers Happ’s season ERA to 3.20.

Gavin Floyd was first out of the bullpen with Joe Biagini unavailable after pitching in back-to-back days. Floyd recorded a key strikeout against Starlin Castro to end the eighth inning with a runner on second base. Roberto Osuna locked things down in the ninth inning for the save.

Toronto’s offence was fairly quiet despite the win, combining for six hits and a lone walk. Bautista’s single and double out of the leadoff spot represented the only multi-hit day from the starting lineup.

Edwin Encarnacion gave the Blue Jays an early lead with a two-run, bases-loaded single off C.C. Sabathia in the third inning to give him 35 RBIs on the season.

Devon Travis contributed a key RBI-single in the top of the ninth off Aroldis Chapman, working a quality at-bat before lining a pitch into right field and scoring Justin Smoak from second.

Sabathia was very strong, himself, pitching seven innings and giving up just two hits. Neither of the runs charged against him were earned, and he struck out seven batters to bring his ERA down to 2.83.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was given another day off after leaving Tuesday’s game early with an injury. He is expected to return to action tomorrow, at which time the Blue Jays are expected to recall a relief pitcher to return the bullpen to a group of seven.

Toronto returns home to the Rogers Centre on Friday for a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox, who currently sit atop the division and lead all of Major League Baseball in runs scored.

Aaron Sanchez (4-1, 3.20 ERA) is scheduled to face Joe Kelly (2-0, 5.28 ERA) in the opener on Friday night at 7:07 p.m. Eastern Time.