Yankees respond to Blue Jays’ message

TORONTO -- Jesse Litsch’s first pitch of the second inning went behind Alex Rodriguez’s legs, an apparent message. The New York Yankees responded with some hard play -- and another win.

Robinson Cano hit a go-ahead, two-run double in a four-run sixth inning, Andy Pettitte (8-7) won consecutive starts for the first time this season and the Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, on Monday to extend their win streak to four games.

Rodriguez stared at plate umpire Mark Carlson and later worked out a walk. When the Yankees played in Toronto on May 30, Rodriguez distracted infielder Howie Clark on a key popup late in the game, yelling something as he approached third base.

“It was a just a two-seamer that got away from me,” Litsch said. “I’m not going to give away the inside. I go inside a lot.”

Torre said it was a little late for sending messages, given that the Yankees and Blue Jays met in New York last month.

In the fourth inning, Rodriguez slid hard into shortstop John McDonald while trying to break up a double play, swiping his left arm in anger and yelling at second base umpire Derryl Cousins.

Rodriguez, who was two for three, said he couldn’t remember the pitch behind him, then walked away without answering when asked about the play at second base.

McDonald also had little to say on the matter.

“I didn’t hear anything,” he said. “I was just running off the field.”