TORONTO — J.A. Happ pitched seven strong innings to win his fifth straight decision, and Aaron Hicks and Gio Urshela homered as the Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-2, on Thursday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
D.J. LeMahieu had three hits and two runs batted in, and the Yankees ended a losing streak at three games.
Happ (6-3) allowed one run and four hits, walked none and struck out four in his first start in Toronto since the Blue Jays traded him to the Yankees last July.
Eric Sogard ended Happ’s shutout bid with a leadoff homer in the sixth, his fifth.
Chad Green pitched the eighth but left after the first three batters reached base in the ninth. Aroldis Chapman came in and got Teoscar Hernandez to ground into a double play, then ended it by getting Freddy Galvis to line out. Chapman earned his 18th save in 19 opportunities.
LeMahieu is batting a major league-best .491 (26 for 53) with runners in scoring position. He’s 9 for his last 16 in such situations.
The Blue Jays were seeking their first three-game winning streak since sweeping a home series against Oakland in late April.
The Yankees opened the scoring with a four-run second against Edwin Jackson, the struggling Blue Jays right-hander. Thairo Estrada reached on a two-out throwing error by third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose throw to first struck Estrada’s helmet. Estrada was checked and remained in the game. Then Cameron Maybin singled, LeMahieu hit an R.B.I. double, and Hicks followed with a three-run homer, his third.
Urshela led off the fourth inning with his fourth blast of the season. Three batters later, LeMahieu chased Jackson with an R.B.I. single.
Jackson (0-4) allowed six runs, two earned, in 3⅓ innings, losing his fourth straight start.
Inside Pitch
Gleyber Torres (left shoulder) was held out of the lineup but was available off the bench. Manager Aaron Boone said Torres might sit Friday, too. … Didi Gregorius is expected to be activated off the injured list Friday and to be in the lineup against Cleveland. Gregorius has not played this season after having Tommy John surgery in October. … Aaron Judge (strained left oblique) resumed on-field batting practice Thursday at the Yankees’ spring training facility in Tampa, Fla. … Starter Luis Severino (right shoulder) made 50 throws from 60 feet. He did the same Monday.