In what seems like an afterthought after news of the tragic passing of Bobby Murcer, the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays by a score of 9-4, following a two-hit dud last night against Roy Halladay. All 13 of the runs scored in the game came in the first four innings.

The Yankees bounced back after a four-run first for the Blue Jays, scoring four of their own to take a 5-4 lead. The Yankees scored at least one run in each of the first four innings, capped off by a solo shot off the left field foul pole by Alex Rodriguez, who passed Mickey Mantle for 13th place on the all-time home run list. Derek Jeter hit a milestone home run of his own as well, as he led the game off with the 200th dinger of his career.

Darrell Rasner was a bit shaky once again, but was good enough to pick up his 5th win of the season. Rasner allowed four runs in the first, but didn't allow another, as he got out of a bases loaded jam in the 2nd and worked his way out of trouble a couple more times in the 4th and 5th innings. Rasner finished with a line of four runs off seven hits and six strikeouts in five innings.

The bullpen was excellent once again, as Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins combined for four scoreless innings and allowed just one runner to reach base. The Yankees came into the game with a bullpen E.R.A. of 3.52, which is second in the American League only to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Yankees will try to finish their "first half" of the season on a high note tomorrow afternoon, as Andy Pettitte will take on A.J. Burnett before heading back home for the All-Star break. Game starts at 1:07 E.T.