NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez's two-run double highlighted a four-run seventh inning, as the Yankees batted around in a lengthy barrage, coming from behind to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, 6-1.
After being limited to two hits through the first six innings by 25-year-old Shaun Marcum, the Yankees came alive in the seventh, pouring on another late comeback in a run of success that has seen them win seven of eight games since the All-Star break.
Derek Jeter ended a string of eight batters retired by Marcum with a leadoff single, and Bobby Abreu pulled off a successful hit-and-run through the right side. Rodriguez followed by drilling a two-run double up the gap in left-center field, giving New York its first lead of the evening and sparking chants of 'M-V-P' from the customers in the grandstand.
New York tacked on two more runs later in the inning when Andy Phillips came through with a two-run, bases-loaded single to left off reliever Brandon League, the third Toronto pitcher in the inning. Jorge Posada added a run-scoring hit in the eighth off League, and Robinson Cano greeted Brian Tallet with another to give the Yankees a four-run lead.
The rally made a winner of reliever Mike Myers, who followed an up-and-down performance from starter Roger Clemens.
The 44-year-old Clemens limited the Blue Jays to one run over six innings but scattered nine hits and walked a batter. Clemens struck out three and was touched only in the first inning of his 99-pitch effort, surrendering a one-out triple to Alex Rios and a run-scoring single to Troy Glaus.
When relievers Brian Bruney and Ron Villone couldn't get the final outs of the eighth inning, the Yankees turned to closer Mariano Rivera for a five-out save. Rivera responded as he has for much of the season, converting his 15th save in 15 chances since April 28.