TORONTO, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Frank Thomas singled in Alex Rios from second with none out in the ninth Thursday night, giving the Toronto Blue Jays a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees.
Chris Britton (0-1) came on in the ninth for the Yankees and gave up a leadoff single to Rios, who then stole second. Thomas lined a 1-2 pitch into center to deliver the winning run.
Thomas drove in the Blue Jays' first run in the opening inning, as the Blue Jays halted a five-game skid.
Scott Downs (3-2) recorded the final two outs in the top of the ninth to get the win.
Toronto starter A.J. Burnett allowed a run on four hits with eight strikeouts in eight innings.
New York's run came on a Johnny Damon homer.
The Yankees fell 5 1/2 games behind idle Boston in the race for the AL East title, and their advantage over Detroit in the wild-card chase was reduced to 3 1/2 games.
