Manager Aaron Boone's club was attempting to avoid being swept in a four-game series at Toronto, with first place in the AL East on the line.

The New York Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays in the finale of a 4-game set at Rogers Centre in Toronto Thursday.

Down 7-0 in the first inning, the Yankees clawed all the way back to tie the game 9-9 in the eighth, only to watch the Toronto Blue Jays reclaim it in the ninth and win it 11-9. The loss not only stung emotionally but also cost New York sole possession of first place in the AL East.