Toronto @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2012 ) Toronto 8, NY Yankees 7

The New York Yankees have managed to overcome most obstacles this season, but an inability to win close games is starting to become an alarming trend with just over a month left in the regular season. New York blew a three-run lead and fell to the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 in the series opener Monday night, its 10th loss in the last 12 games decided by one run. The Yankees have lost five of seven overall and lead Baltimore by 3 1/2 games atop the American League East.

Due to a rash of injuries, Toronto has had trouble putting a representative lineup on the field, magnifying the staggering slump of Colby Rasmus. The center fielder showed he may be emerging from a deep funk that produced one hit in 37 at-bats, slugging a two-out, three-run homer in the ninth Monday. Recent addition Yorvit Torrealba contributed three hits, including his first homer with the Jays, and Adam Lind had two hits and went deep after missing more than a month.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (8-11, 5.63 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (12-11, 4.14)

Romero's woeful season continues to careen off the tracks. He lost his 10th consecutive decision and fell to 0-10 with a 7.69 ERA in his last 11 with a horrid performance last time out, walking a season-high eight batters and allowing five runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss at Detroit. The left-hander has not won since beating Miami on June 22 to improve to 8-1. He is 3-6 with a 5.23 ERA in 12 career starts against the Yankees.

Hughes is coming off one of his best outings of the year, working seven strong innings in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. It was his second strong performance since he was pounded by the Blue Jays for seven runs on nine hits in four innings on Aug. 12. Hughes has been a much better pitcher at Yankee Stadium, posting a 9-3 record and 3.42 ERA in 13 home starts. He is 3-5 lifetime against Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto snapped a seven-game overall losing streak and a string of eight straight losses at Yankee Stadium.

2. Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira suffered a Grade 1 calf strain and said he expects to miss 1-to-2 weeks.

3. In his last start, Romero became the first pitcher in more than four years to walk eight batters and not record a strikeout.