Toronto finally solves Sabathia to top Yanks

NEW YORK — Yunel Escobar hit a two-run homer, three doubles and drove in five runs as Toronto beat the New York Yankees 8-5 Wednesday, ending CC Sabathia's five years of dominance over the Blue Jays.

Escobar had a go-ahead RBI double in the third. His homer against Sabathia in the sixth gave the Blue Jays the lead again and his two-run double off Joba Chamberlain in the ninth secured Toronto's first series win since July 27-29.

J.A. Happ (3-1) overcame a season-high five walks for the win and Casey Janssen pitched a perfect ninth for his 17th save.

Sabathia (13-4) was undefeated over his last nine starts against Toronto — 8-0 with a 2.48 ERA — since the beginning of his Cy Young Award season of 2007 with Cleveland.

BALTIMORE — White Sox rookie Dylan Axelrod took a three-hitter into the eighth inning and Chicago spoiled the Baltimore debut of Joe Saunders, scoring seven runs off the left-hander.

Gordon Beckham had three hits and three RBIs to help Chicago snap a five-game road losing streak. Alexei Ramirez went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored twice for the White Sox, who will seek a split of the four-game series on Thursday.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Evan Longoria homered twice, Tampa Bay roughed up Matt Harrison and the Rays beat the Rangers to snap a four-game losing streak.

After dropping the last two against the AL-West leading Rangers by one run, the Rays avoided the three-game sweep.

Harrison (15-8) allowed seven runs and 12 hits in 5 1-3 innings. He took a no-hitter into the seventh and permitted two hits in eight shutout innings in his last outing Friday night against Minnesota.

CLEVELAND — Josh Donaldson hit a three-run homer and five Athletics pitchers combined to beat the Indians.

Oakland took over the AL wild-card lead by one game over Baltimore with its 11th win in 13 games as Travis Blackley (5-3) gave up two runs over 5 2-3 innings. Ryan Cook got four outs for his 13th save.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bruce Chen allowed four hits over a season-high eight innings, and Eric Hosmer's infield single in the fourth drove in the only run in the Royals' victory over the Tigers.

The last time Chen (10-10) lasted eight innings was last September, in his final two starts of the year. The veteran left-hander hadn't even gone seven in his past 11 outings.

MINNEAPOLIS — Samuel Deduno dominated for seven innings, Trevor Plouffe homered and had four RBIs, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 10-0 on Wednesday night.