New York @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 16, 2011 ) NY Yankees 4, Toronto 1

THE STORY: The Toronto Blue Jays look to regain their offensive spark Sunday when they host the New York Yankees in the finale of a four-game series. The Blue Jays managed one run in Saturday's 5-1 loss after scoring 23 times in the opening two games of the series. Carlos Villanueva gets the call for Toronto while the Yankees counter with Phil Hughes.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, YES (New York), Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (0-2, 10.57 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Carlos Villanueva (5-1, 2.99).

Arm troubles have limited Hughes to four starts this season, and he is still looking to regain the form that saw him earn a career-best 18 victories last season. His last outing was the most encouraging as he allowed two runs over five innings in his first action since mid-April. Hughes is 2-3 all-time against Toronto with a 4.84 ERA in 57 2/3 innings. Villanueva only entered the Toronto starting rotation because of an injury to Jesse Litsch, but he has been one of the Jays' best starters since being moved into the role. The former Milwaukee Brewers castoff is 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA in nine starts, the first of which was a 7-3 victory in his first career meeting against the Yankees on May 23.

ABOUT THE YANKEES (54-37): The weekend series has been punctuated by accusations - first from Yankees catcher Russell Martin, then by manager Joe Girardi - that the Jays are among the league's biggest sign thieves. Whatever the case, they couldn't do much of anything against Saturday starter CC Sabathia, who dominated over eight sensational innings for his league-best 14th win of the season. Brett Gardner had a three-hit performance as he continues to excel after a slow start. Since batting .194 in April, the speedy outfielder is hitting at a .309 clip. He also stole his 24th base, putting him in the top five in the American League.

ABOUT THE BLUE JAYS (47-48): While Toronto's heavy hitters get the bulk of the credit for the team's offensive exploits, shortstop Yunel Escobar has enjoyed plenty of success himself. Jettisoned by the Atlanta Braves midway through last season, the veteran infielder has enjoyed a rebirth north of the border. He drove in the run Saturday and is batting a red-hot .382 in July. The burst has lifted his average to .298 for the season, approaching his career best for a full season set in 2009. The current Toronto roster is hitting .211 against Hughes.

FINAL PITCH: Adam Lind is one of only two Blue Jays to have a home run against Hughes - but he would probably rather face someone else, having struck out 10 times in 19 career at-bats.