The New York Yankees kept their one-game lead in the American League East Division after beating the Toronto Blue Jays, 11-4, Friday night at Rogers Centre.

With two outs in the top of the first inning, consecutive singles by Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano prepared the scene for a two-run double by Nick Swisher. It was the beginning of a rocky start for Toronto righty Chad Jenkins, who allowed a total of three runs off four hits in 3⅔ innings, ultimately carrying the loss. New York got one more in the second, after Derek Jeter grounded into a double play, scoring Raul Ibañez, who got on base with a lead-off single.

Russell Martin jacked a three-run blast in the sixth, scoring Cano, who was hit by a pitch, and Swisher, who hit a single. Two batters later, Ichiro Suzuki singled to left-center field, scoring Eric Chavez, who walked. The Yankees scored one each in the seventh and eight innings, and two in the ninth thanks to a homer by Eric Chavez, opening a seven-run gap.

The Jays had two home runs: a solo shot by Colby Rasmus in the fifth and a two-run tater by Adam Lind in the seventh.

Hideki Kuroda had his 15th win of the year, after allowing just two runs off 10 hits in 5⅓ innings, with two walks and fanning four.