MLB: New York Yankees 8, Toronto 4

TORONTO, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A solo homer by Nick Swisher touched off a four-run seventh inning Wednesday that vaulted the New York Yankees to an 8-4 win over Toronto.

The Yankees twice came from behind to win their third straight and open a 2 1/2-game lead over Boston in the American League East. New York will host the Red Sox in a four-game series beginning Thursday.

Toronto had a 3-2 advantage going into the seventh, but Swisher tied it with a homer off starter Marc Rzepczynski (1-3) on the second pitch of the frame.

Rzepczynski then gave up a double to Robinson Cano before being replaced by Josh Roenicke. Hideki Matsui singled in Cano with the go-ahead run, and Jose Molina drew a walk. With two away, Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira produced back-to-back singles to complete the four-run inning.

Reliever Alfredo Aceves (7-1) got the win with a two-inning stint. He gave up a lone run on Adam Lind's fifth-inning homer.

Toronto lost for the fifth time in seven games, and Aaron Hill had a 13-game hitting streak stopped.