Bautista hits 3-run home run in eighth

TORONTO — Jose Bautista hit a three-run homer off Tyler Clippard in the eighth inning, and Toronto beat the fading New York Yankees, 3-0, on Saturday to open a two-game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL wild-card race.

Josh Donaldson singled with two outs in the eighth off Clippard (3-5), advanced on a wild pitch, and Edwin Encarnacion walked. Clippard fell behind 2-0 in the count and Bautista sent a fastball over the left-field wall, delighting the crowd of an announced 47,828.

“I was definitely looking for a heater in that situation, and I was lucky to make good contact,” Bautista said.

Bautista has hit at least 20 home runs in seven straight seasons. He has 16 career home runs that have given his team a lead in the eighth inning or later, including 14 with Toronto. Of his 20 homers this season, 14 put the Blue Jays ahead.

“It’s pretty obvious how big he is for us,” Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman said. “It seems like he always steps up in those key moments when we need him most.”

Bautista, who doubled in the first, has reached safely in 31 straight games.

Stroman gave up one hit in seven innings — Aaron Hicks’ single in the second.

New York has been shut out in three straight games for the first time July 27-28, 1975. The Yankees have been held scoreless an AL-worst 13 times this season, six of those in September.

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