Frank Gunn / AP

CC Sabathia (3-3) allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings Thursday to win consecutive starts for the first time this season. He walked four, one intentional, and struck out five.

Toronto took a 2-1 lead in the fifth. Scott Rolen drew a leadoff walk and scored one out later on Rod Barajas’ double. John McDonald followed with a single but center fielder Brett Gardner threw out Barajas at the plate.

“That play at the plate was probably the biggest play of the game,” Sabathia said.

New York tied it in the seventh. Gardner led off with a walk against Brian Tallet and was running when Francisco Cervelli singled past shortstop Marco Scutaro, who was moving over to cover second. The Blue Jays brought in right-hander Jason Frasor, but Jeter drove in Gardner with a bloop single to right.

Tallet was disappointed in himself for issuing the leadoff walk to Gardner.

“I got the guy out two times, what am I doing walking him?” he said. “In that situation you’ve got to make (him) hit the ball and let your defense play behind you. I didn’t and the end result ended up being a run.”

Toronto loaded the bases against Sabathia with two outs in the seventh but Aaron Hill grounded out.

Hill started at designated hitter after fouling a ball of his shin and leaving after five innings Wednesday. McDonald played second base in his first start of the season.

Tallet allowed two runs and four hits in six-plus innings. He walked a season-high five.

“(Tallet) gives up a couple of runs against Sabathia and you figure you might have a chance to win that game,” Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said. “But we didn’t. We move on.”

Notes: Toronto activated LHP B.J. Ryan off the 15-day disabled list after the game and optioned LHP Bill Murphy to Triple-A Las Vegas. Ryan has been out since April 23 with muscle tightness in his back and shoulder. LHP Scott Downs will remain Toronto’s closer. ... New York RHP Chien-Ming Wang (hip) will make a second rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. ... Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards and receiver Lee Evans took batting practice before the game. Edwards hit two home runs during his session and later threw out the first pitch. Evans handled PA duties during the bottom of the third. ... A male fan seated in the front row behind the third base dugout was cut on the back of the head by Toronto slugger Vernon Wells’ broken bat in the fourth. He walked away to receive medical attention and later returned to his seat.

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