Toronto Blue Jays keep winning

Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates his home run as he walks into the dugout in the first inning against the New York Yankees on August 9, 2015 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.

(Aug. 8, 2015 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 2-0 and closed the gap to the AL East division leader to 1.5 games. It was Toronto’s 8th consecutive win, including a 3-game series sweep over the Yankees.

3B Josh Donaldson’s home run in the 1st inning and RF Jose Bautista’s long ball in the 4th proved to be sufficient offense on Sunday afternoon. Donaldson ranks 3rd in the MLB with 31 homers so far this season.

New York’s SP Masahiro Tanaka (8-5) was surprisingly relieved after 6 innings and only 80 pitches. He surrendered 2 runs but didn’t issue any walks and threw 5 strikeouts.

Marco Estrada (10-6) threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 3.21. He did, however, hit a batter and walked another three but also had 6 strikeouts. Toronto’s bullpen then held on to the lead by pitching 1 2/3 hitless innings and CL Roberto Osuna sealed the victory with his 10th save of the season.

The Blue Jays have a rest day today before facing the Oakland A’s (Tuesday to Thursday) and New York Yankees (Friday to Sunday) at home. After today’s rest day the Yankees play a 3-game series at the Cleveland Indians before heading to Rogers Centre.