Lind powers Jays over Yanks

TORONTO — Adam Lind hit a three-run homer and rookie starter Marcus Stroman allowed three hits over a career-high eight innings as the Toronto Blue Jays kicked off a key three-game series with an 8-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday at Rogers Centre.

Lind drove a Chase Whitley offering to straightaway centre field in the second inning to give Stroman (4-2) an early lead. The rookie starter gave up just two singles and a solo homer to Mark Teixeira as Toronto moved 2 1/2 games ahead of New York in the American League East standings.

The offensive outburst was most welcome for a team that was coming off a disappointing 3-7 road trip and had been held to three runs or less in 11 of its last 16 games. The Jays improved to 43-35 with their victory. The Yankees dropped to 39-36.