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NEW YORK -- If the New York Yankees reach the playoffs, theyll long remember this catch by Brett Gardner.Two outs in the ninth inning, bases loaded, one-run lead. Does it get much better?Gardner made a leaping grab at the top of the left-field wall, clutching the ball as he banged into the fence on Justin Smoaks drive for the final out, and the Yankees held off AL East-leading Toronto 7-6 Tuesday night.I knew I was going to be able to catch up to it and get to it, I just didnt know if I was going to run out of room or not, Gardner said.I knew it was going to be close to the wall -- thank goodness it wasnt much higher. Im not too tall and I wasnt going to be able to jump a whole lot higher, he said.A scrambly September game with October implications seesawed to the last swing, and turned at the end in favor of the Yankees. New York won its third in a row and sent the Blue Jays to their fourth loss in five games.At a season-high seven games over .500, the Yankees closed within 4 1/2 games of first place, their smallest deficit since April, and remained 3 1/2 back for the ALs second wild card.The Blue Jays had already scored twice in the ninth off Dellin Betances when they loaded the bases with one out. Blake Parker, the eighth New York pitcher, suddenly became an unlikely closer, and he struck out Kevin Pillar.Smoak was up next -- in August 2015, he became the first Toronto player ever to hit a grand slam in the Bronx.This time, he sliced a deep shot to left.Thought it might have had a chance, Smoak said, later adding, put a good swing on it, barreled it.But Gardner ran back, squared himself on the warning track and jumped high and back into the padding. He held on for the catch, immediately leaped in the air to celebrate and tossed the ball high.I think as the ball went in to my glove, my glove hit the wall. And on a play like that, you want to make sure the ball goes in the glove before you hit the wall, he said.The Yankees rushed out to congratulate him and a few minutes later, a replay of the catch drew another ovation from the fans.The 29-year-old Smoak and 33-year-old Gardner know each other from growing up in South Carolina.Hes an old man, Smoak said, smiling.Tyler Austins two-run homer in the seventh off AL ERA leader Aaron Sanchez put the Yankees ahead 3-2. Pillar lined a two-out, two-run double in the eighth that gave the Blue Jays a 4-3 edge.The Yankees then rallied for four runs in their half for a 7-4 lead, capped by Chase Headleys two-run homer. The drive off Jason Grilli (5-5) left the reliever bent over at the mound in frustration.With the Yankees running out of time to chase a playoff spot, manager Joe Girardi spared no expense with his staff. Chasen Shreve (2-1) wound up with the win and Parker got his first save since 2013 with the Cubs.Betances made it interesting in the ninth, walking the first two batters while working his third straight day. Edwin Encarnacion and Melvin Upton got RBI singles on infield hits to pull Toronto within a run.Encarnacion hit his 37th homer into the second deck for Toronto and tied his career high with 111 RBI. He started the day tied with Angels slugger Albert Pujols for the league lead in RBI.Playing on his 25th birthday and batting ninth, Austin sliced a two-out drive to right-center. His only other homer came on Aug. 13 in his first major league at-bat.Brian McCann also homered for the Yankees.Little did anyone know what was on deck. In a game of timely hits, it was Gardners defensive play that thrilled the Yankees.Sheer joy, Parker said.NY NUMBERSThe Yankees had lost five straight home series to Toronto before winning the first two games in this three-game set. ... Austin became the first Yankees player to homer on his birthday since Alex Rodriguez last year. ... Rookie Gary Sanchez has reached base in 21 straight games.UP NEXTBlue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman (9-6, 4.58) has allowed eight earned runs in 12 innings over his last two starts.Yankees: RHP Bryan Mitchell was promoted from Triple-A before the game and is likely to make his Yankees debut this year, starting vs. Toronto. He injured a toe in spring training and missed most of this season. Hes 0-3 in stints the past two years with New York. C.J. McCollum Jersey . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. Jusuf Nurkic Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Terry-Porter-Blazers-Jersey/ . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Gary Trent Jr. Blazers Jersey . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Anfernee Simons Jersey . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. West Coast coach Adam Simpson admits Sundays clash with North Melbourne is his AFL clubs most-important game of the season as the Eagles attempt to end their losing run against finals contenders.The Eagles entered round 16 just one win adrift of second spot, despite failing to beat a single top-eight side so far this season.West Coast have a chance to bury that hoodoo against the seventh-placed Kangaroos at Domain Stadium.A loss to North Melbourne would severely dent West Coasts top-four hopes and, in turn, their premiership ambitions, but a win could set up their tilt at making back-to-back grand finals.Simpson is reluctant to talk about his teams top-four chances but is quick to acknowledge the importance of Sundays match.Every game is important. This one is our most-important one, Simpson said.Where are we at? Well find out a bit this week.They (North Melbourne) are in full contention for going all the way this year. The brand they play is built for finals.Weve had some really good battles with them of late.Last time we played them here (in the 2015 preliminary final) was a good result for us.Its a combative finals-type brannd of football they play.dddddddddddd Thats the exciting part for us.Sundays game is equally important for North, who have slid from first to seventh after losing four of their past five games.The Kangaroos will again be without Jarrad Waite (hip) and Daniel Wells (calf), while the Eagles have been boosted by the return of small forward Josh Hill from tonsillitis.West Coasts inability to beat premiership contenders this year has been a big talking point.Simpson has put on a brave face while fielding questions about it from week to week but he says its time for the team to show their true colours.For us to have any success this year, we have to beat sides above us - thats a given, he said.WEST COASTS 2016 RECORD AGAINST TOP-EIGHT SIDES:* Rd 2 - Lost to Hawthorn by 46 points at the MCG* Rd 5 - Lost to Sydney by 39 points at the MCG* Rd 7 - Lost to Geelong by 44 points at Simonds Stadium* Rd 11 - Lost to the Bulldogs by 8 points at Etihad Stadium* Rd 12 - Lost to Adelaide by 29 points at Domain Stadium ' ' '