MLB: N.Y. Yankees 6, Toronto 2

NEW YORK, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez hit back-to-back home runs Thursday afternoon as the New York Yankees beat Toronto, 6-2.

Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada each had three hits for the Yankees, who kept pace with Oakland for the lead in the American League wild-card standings.

Winner Shawn Chacon rose to 3-1.

Orlando Hudson had two hits and Corey Koskie and Reed Johnson had one RBI each for the Blue Jays, who have lost six of their last seven games.

Loser Gustavo Chacin dropped to 11-7.

Toronto's Shea Hillenbrand was hit by a pitch for the 21st time this season, breaking the club record set by Johnson in 2004. New York's Hideki Matsui picked up his 500th career hit.