Russell Martin hit a three-run homer, Eric Chavez added a two-run shot and the New York Yankees maintained their one-game lead atop the AL East by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 11-4 on Friday night.

Abelimages, Getty Images
Abelimages, Getty Images
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The victory let New York keep its slim lead over second-place Baltimore, which used six first-inning runs to beat Boston 9-1.

Nick Swisher had two hits and two RBIs for the Yankees, who have not lost consecutive games since a three-game skid from Sept. 2-4.

Hiroki Kuroda (15-11) won for the third time in five starts despite matching a season-high by allowing 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings. He gave up two runs, walked two and struck out four.

David Phelps worked 1 2-3 innings and David Robertson pitched the eighth. Cody Eppley got two outs in the ninth and Rafael Soriano finished for the Yankees.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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