Bodog Beat

Alex Rodriguez and the Yanks ended their trip to Toronto with a loss. There was still time for A-Rod to hit the strip clubs, though. (AI Wire photo)

Frank Thomas drove in the winning run with a ninth-inning single on Thursday night, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-1 win over the visiting New York Yankees. The Jays avoided a three-game sweep at home and kept the Yankees from gaining ground in the American League East. New York is 5.5 games behind Boston, which had the night off, and its lead over idle Detroit in the AL wild-card race dropped to 3.5 games.

Scott Downs (3-2) got the win in relief of starter A.J. Burnett, who pitched eight outstanding innings. New York got a strong start from rookie Ian Kennedy, but it was Chris Britton (0-1) who took the loss.

Toronto paid +101 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $100 would net a $101 profit). Still, this trip was much more pleasant for the Yankees, who faced controversy earlier in the season when Alex Rodriguez was caught on camera cavorting with a Toronto stripper. The Yankees took two of three in this series and continued to keep their hopes alive for an AL East crown.

The Yankees and Red Sox meet Friday night in Fenway Park in the opener of a crucial late-season series. Andy Pettitte takes the hill for New York against Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka. For complete MLB odds for Friday's action, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.