NEW YORK (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka pitched like the ace the Yankees needed him to be, allowing four hits over seven innings to lead New York over the Toronto Blue Jays 5-0 Sunday and stop his team's five-game losing streak.

New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches in the first inning
New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka pitches in the first inning (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
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Dustin Ackley homered and had three RBIs for the Yankees, who closed back within 3 1/2 games of the AL East-leading Blue Jays with 20 games left.

Toronto had won the first three games of the four-game series, but the Yankees sent R.A. Dickey (10-11) to his first loss since before the All-Star break. The Blue Jays and Yankees play three more times in Toronto from Sept. 21-23.

The Blue Jays said before the game that All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will miss at least two weeks after cracking his left shoulder blade in a collision during the opener of Saturday's doubleheader. Edwin Encarnacion was held out after aggravating a finger injury Saturday.

Tanaka (12-6) struck out seven, walked none and threw 76 of 108 pitches for strikes. He is 3-0 with a 2.54 ERA in his last four starts.

 

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