McGowan, Jays Whip Yankees

May 29, 12:15 AM

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Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Dustin McGowan tossed 7 2/3 strong innings and Aaron Hill drove in three runs to lead the Toronto Blue Jays over the New York Yankees, 7-2, in the opener of a three-game set at Rogers Centre.

McGowan (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, allowing two runs on five hits with a career-high seven strikeouts and only one walk.

Hill went 2-for-3 and Lyle Overbay ended 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBI for Toronto, which has alternated wins and losses over the last 11 games. Troy Glaus added two hits, an RBI and two runs scored for the Blue Jays, who began a 10-game homestand with their fourth straight win at Rogers Centre.

Hideki Matsui hit a two-run homer for the Yankees, whose recent struggles continue. New York opened a 10-game road trip with its fourth straight setback and 12th loss in 17 outings.

The Yankees, who have a three-game weekend series in Boston on the horizon, fell 13 1/2 games behind the division-leading Red Sox. Boston beat the Indians 5-3 on Monday night.

Earlier on Monday, however, the Yankees received good news when Roger Clemens tossed six scoreless innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He allowed just two hits, struck out six and walked two and appears ready to join the big club for his next start.

"I'll do the best I can when they give me the ball," said Clemens, who added he has no idea when or where he is scheduled to start next. "I have expectations to do well.

"My arm feels great. I'll have normal soreness (Tuesday). I'll wait to hear from those guys and see what's next."

"We'll know something possibly (Tuesday) or we'll wait for his throw day on Wednesday," said New York manager Joe Torre of Clemens' return.

The Blue Jays began the scoring in the third inning with Overbay's solo shot. Hill then singled home Glaus in the fourth for a two run lead.

Toronto wasted a golden opportunity in the fifth. With a run already home after Overbay doubled in Royce Clayton, Yankees starter Matt DeSalvo walked Vernon Wells and hit Glaus with a pitch to load the bases for Frank Thomas with two outs.

However, Torre lifted DeSalvo in favor of Luis Vizcaino, who struck out Thomas to end the inning.

The offensive hiccup didn't stop the Jays though, as they added four more runs in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Glaus singled home the first run of the inning and the bases remained loaded. New York reliever Ron Villone then walked Thomas to force home another run and end his night. Hill then greeted Mike Myers with a two-run single to cap the inning's scoring.

DeSalvo (1-2) was hit with the loss, his second straight in a starting role. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits, striking out two and walking three, in 4 2/3 innings. He appeared in relief on Friday night and yielded three runs on two hits without recording an out.

New York finally got to McGowan in the eighth. With two outs, Derek Jeter recorded his second infield single of the game and Matsui followed with a long blast that went over the restaurant in center field, ending McGowan's night.

Scott Downs came on for Toronto and recorded the final four outs.

"This kid completely shut us down," said Torre of McGowan. "There's no question. We have to give him credit."

Game Notes

Jeter went 2-for-4 and Alex Rodriguez went 1-for-4 for the Yankees...Matsui's HR was his fifth of the season...Overbay has eight HRs this year.

05/28 23:24:47 ET