TORONTO — Guy Sebastian’s and Lupe Fiasco’s “Battle Scars’’ scorched the cement walls of the Yankees’ clubhouse, a room that had the feel of a morgue following the previous four games.
Six outs away from their season unofficially expiring, the Yankees scored four runs in the eighth inning then held their breath as Mariano Rivera worked in and out of trouble in the ninth to finish a 4-3 season-saving victory over the Blue Jays Wednesday night in front of an announced Rogers Centre crowd of 24,247.
“Every time we win it’s a great feeling,’’ said Rivera, whose club hadn’t shook hands after a victory since last Thursday in Baltimore and broke a four-game slide. “Tonight was a big game for us.’’
The victory moved the Yankees to within 2 ½ games of the second AL wild-card spot with 10 games remaining.
Trailing, 3-0, going into the eighth, the Yankees appeared headed for a second consecutive shutout.
“Obviously things were going in the same direction as [Tuesday night],” said Vernon Wells, whose two-run double in the eighth put the Yankees ahead, 4-3. “Then a four-pitch sequence and we had the lead.”
Up a run, manager Joe Girardi followed the blueprint by summoning David Robertson to start the eighth. But when Rajai Davis singled with two outs and stole second on a pitchout, Girardi tossed the blueprint in the trash and called for Rivera in the middle of an at-bat.
“I don’t think there is any argument who is the greatest relief pitcher of all time is,’’ Girardi said of the move that resulted in Rivera needing two pitches to get Brett Lawrie on a grounder to the right side.
The ninth wasn’t as smooth. Adam Lind and Colby Rasmus opened with singles before Munenori Kawasaki’s bunt was fielded by first baseman Lyle Overbay, who forced pinch-runner Kevin Pillar at third.
“We knew they were going to bunt and we wanted to make sure we got an out and that had to be at third base,’’ said Rivera, who notched his 44th save in 51 chances. “That was a great play, and it worked fine.’’
Rivera responded to the failed sacrifice attempt by retiring Ryan Goins on a grounder to Robinson Cano and ended the game by fanning J.P. Arencibia.
Annoyed at giving up the hit to Davis, Robertson was on board with Girardi hooking him.
“I understand completely,’’ Robertson said. “We have to do whatever it takes. We need to win every game from here on out. Mo is pretty good.’’
The four-run eighth was ignited by Brendan Ryan’s ground-rule double. After Steve Delabar replaced J.A. Happ and struck out Alex Rodriguez, Cano ripped an RBI single, Alfonso Soriano doubled in a run and Wells was not pinch hit for with Overbay.
“I was thankful for the opportunity. I had some good swings. He had faith in and I am glad he did,’’ Wells said.
Phil Hughes and David Huff combined to give up three runs and five hits in seven innings, which kept the Yankees in the game despite collecting three hits in seven frames and going 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
“This game is very important because we come back from behind,’’ said Soriano, who Tuesday night said the team’s energy level was low. “Look at the seventh inning we didn’t do nothing. We have to score early in the game. It’s good we got the win but we are not supposed to score that late.’’