The Yankees entered Thursday having posted a 3-9 record against division rivals since June 6, and they were 10-15 overall against the East.

The Yankees will send starter Clarke Schmidt to the mound Thursday at Toronto, trying to avoid a four-game sweep against the Blue Jays that would drop them into second place.

Down 7-0 in the first inning, the Yankees clawed all the way back to tie the game 9-9 in the eighth, only to watch the Toronto Blue Jays reclaim it in the ninth and win it 11-9. The loss not only stung emotionally but also cost New York sole possession of first place in the AL East.