TORONTO — Right-hander Michael Pineda pitched eight scoreless innings to remain undefeated and first baseman Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer as the New York Yankees held on to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-3, on Tuesday.
Pineda (4-0) held the Blue Jays to five hits and struck out six as he picked up his fourth win in six starts this season.
Right-hander David Carpenter took over in the ninth inning and was greeted by the sixth home run of the season by Toronto catcher Russell Martin, who also had two doubles.
The Blue Jays added two more runs on a two-out walk to center fielder Kevin Pillar, a double by left fielder Chris Colabello and a single by shortstop Ryan Goins. Left-hander Andrew Miller entered the game to face Blue Jays pinch-hitter Jose Bautista who walked. Second baseman Devon Travis hit a fly to right to end the game and give Miller his 11th save.
Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada (1-1), making his first start of the season after six relief appearances, allowed eight hits and five runs (four earned), in 4 2/3 innings.
Estrada was replacing left-hander Daniel Norris, who was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits for the Yankees, who improved to 17-10, while the Blue Jays dropped to 13-15. The teams have split the first two games of a three-game series between American League East rivals.
The Yankees, who took a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning, added a run in the eighth against Toronto right-handed reliever Chad Jenkins on a two-out RBI single by shortstop Didi Gregorius.
The Yankees took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ellsbury led off with a single to extend his hitting streak to a season-best eight games, and left fielder Brett Gardner doubled to right after an 11-pitch at-bat. Designated hitter Alex Rodriguez doubled both home.
The Yankees added an unearned run in the third. Second baseman Gregorio Petit singled with two outs on an infield chopper, and he took second on a throwing error by third baseman Josh Donaldson. Ellsbury was given life when Colabello and Donaldson could not collaborate on a foul ball that fell and then hit an RBI single.
Ellsbury led off the fifth with his third single of the game and scored with two outs on Teixeira’s 10th homer of the season as the Yankees led 5-0. Left-hander Jeff Francis replaced Estrada.
NOTES: INF/OF Chris Colabello was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday and started in left field for Toronto. He hit .337/.421/.554 with five homers and 18 RBIs in 23 games with Buffalo. … The Blue Jays optioned INF Jonathan Diaz to Buffalo and designated LHP Jayson Aquino for assignment. … Blue Jays OF Michael Saunders did not start for the second game in a row after his left knee was drained and he had a cortisone shot Monday. The knee required surgery in February. … Toronto INF/OF Danny Valencia sprained an ankle when his cleats caught in the stairs leading to the clubhouse after Monday’s game and did not play Tuesday. … The Yankees will activate INF Jose Pirela (concussion) from the disabled list on Wednesday and make a corresponding move. … Yankees LHP CC Sabathia (0-4, 5.40 ERA) will face Toronto LHP Mark Buehrle (3-2, 6.75) in the series finale on Wednesday.