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NEW YORK -- The way manager Joe Girardi described it, for weeks Bryan Mitchell was throwing from a chair with his injured foot elevated just to keep his arm in shape down in lonely Florida.Boy, are the Yankees happy Mitchell didnt have to sit out all season.Mitchell earned his first major league win, combining with Luis Severino and Tyler Clippard to shut down the dangerous Toronto Blue Jays, and New York kept up its surprising surge with a 2-0 victory Wednesday night that completed a three-game sweep.After the whole season, what I went through, tonights very rewarding, Mitchell said. Its been my goal all year to get back here.Starlin Castro homered and Brian McCann had an RBI single for the Yankees, who have won four straight and 10 of 14. They closed within 2 1/2 games of Baltimore for the second AL wild card and are 3 1/2 behind first-place Boston in the AL East.Weve been playing playoff baseball really since about Aug. 1, Girardi said. We keep getting closer, and thats the idea here. And its been fun.The skidding Blue Jays dropped out of first place in the AL East for the first time since Aug. 16. They fell a game behind new leader Boston, which won 7-2 in San Diego.Were right in it. We just need either a big play or a big hit somewhere to get us going back in the right direction, catcher Russell Martin said. Youre not going to see any panic from me.Marcus Stroman (9-7) struck out eight in five innings but the Blue Jays lost for the fifth time in six games. They were swept for the third time this season, first since May 16-18 by Tampa Bay.Torontos power-packed lineup has been blanked on six occasions this year, three at Yankee Stadium.Making an unexpected run at the playoffs after trading several veteran stars for prospects this summer, the youth-infused Yankees (73-65) climbed a season-best eight games above .500. They were finally able to finish off a sweep, too.The Yankees had lost in each of their previous seven attempts at a series sweep of at least three games and were 2-9 in those situations this season before wiping out the Blue Jays.Were playing really good baseball. Were excited for this last month, McCann said.Helped by two double plays, Mitchell (1-0) yielded four hits over five-plus innings in his fourth career start and first major league outing this season. The 25-year-old right-hander pitched in place of injured rookie Chad Green.It feels weird coming back at this point in the season, Mitchell said.Mitchell was promoted Tuesday from Triple-A after missing much of the year because of an injury to his left big toe sustained late in spring training. He entered 0-3 in the majors, working mostly in relief for New York over the past two years, but became the third Yankees rookie to have a scoreless start in the past three-plus weeks.I dont think you could ask for any more, Girardi said.A leadoff double by Devon Travis in the sixth ended Mitchells night before Severino tossed three innings of one-hit ball.Travis got caught breaking for third on Josh Donaldsons comebacker and was tagged out in a rundown. Severino was aided by a replay reversal in the seventh, and Edwin Encarnacion flied out to the right-field wall with a runner on to end the eighth.Clippard, filling in as the closer with Dellin Betances and Adam Warren unavailable, struck out two in a perfect ninth to finish the five-hitter. His only other save this season came with Arizona before he was traded back to New York.Castro hit his 20th homer with two outs in the third. Didi Gregorius doubled, Mark Teixeira walked and McCann singled sharply to right field.HOW SWEEP IT ISIt was New Yorks first sweep of a division foe since July last year against Baltimore, and its first of the Blue Jays since June 2014, also at Yankee Stadium.SPREADING IT AROUNDThree different pitchers earned saves in the series, and four have saves in New Yorks last six wins. Clippard became the AL-high eighth reliever to get a save for the Yankees this year, matching a franchise record.TRAINERS ROOMBlue Jays: LHP Francisco Liriano (back) was unavailable. ... Martin (left knee) was lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth.Yankees: Rookie catcher Gary Sanchez was given the night off. RF Aaron Judge also was rested before entering on defense in the seventh. Sanchez and Judge will be back in the starting lineup Thursday, Girardi said. ... Betances probably will be unavailable again Thursday, Girardi said. The big closer threw 40 pitches Tuesday, his third straight day of work.UP NEXTBlue Jays: Following an off day, Toronto begins a pivotal, three-game series Friday night at home against Boston. RHP Marco Estrada (8-7, 3.56 ERA) starts the opener for the Blue Jays against Rick Porcello (19-3, 3.23), the major league leader in wins.Yankees: LHP CC Sabathia (8-12, 4.20) pitches Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series against last-place Tampa Bay. New York was shut out by Baltimore in both of his last two outings. Rays RHP Alex Cobb (0-0) makes his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery.Sam Travis Jersey . - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, J. Travis Lakins Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. https://www.cheapredsox.com/711z-nomar-garciaparra-jersey-red-sox.html .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Denyi Reyes Jersey . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Red Sox Jerseys 2019 . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie.This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Detroit Red WingsOverall: 44 Title track: 15 Ownership: 9 Coaching: 82 Players: 52 Fan relations: 22 Affordability: 61 Stadium experience: 92 Bang for the buck: 71 Change from last year: -30Once deemed the gold standard for NHL franchises, the Red Wings dropped 30 spots in our fan ratings this year. Despite their 44th overall ranking, the teams ownership remains beloved by the Red Wing fans due in part to their relentless loyalty and drive to win. Theres hope that the teams shift from the Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena can help make the Red Wings one of hockeys top franchises again.Whats goodIf theres one thing that Detroit hockey has figured out, its the ownership earning fans trust and appreciation. Owner Mike Ilitch understands what it takes to be the best boss in all of sports. And for Ilitch, that means building a new stadium and rearranging staff and players to bring out the Red Wings fan in everyone. The Ilitch family exudes hometown pride and that shows in their efforts to make the fan experience central in the design of the arena and surrounding neighborhood, known as The District Detroit, according to the Red Wings public relations department. The Red Wings ownership maintains a top 10 ranking simply because it strives to continue to enhance the fan experience and foster a community in Detroit, even after experiencing some bumps in the road.Whats badThe Red Wings slipped into the 92nd ranking of stadium experience, but dont let that fool you. The anticipation of Litttle Caesars Arena, slated to be the Red Wings new home in 2017-18, can quickly make any fan forget about the third-oldest NHL arena killing their hockey vibes.ddddddddddddWith innovation in mind, the $627.5 million home of the Red Wings will ease any lasting memories of the Joe Louis Arena for the fans. Just the conception of this new arena has already led to a record rate of season-ticket renewals for Detroit. This new arena has one goal in mind: the fans. Bringing fans as close to the action as possible and creating a blueprint that matches the steep incline and loud atmosphere of hockeys most intimidating arenas, says the PR spokesman.Whats newWhen it comes to the players ranking, the Red Wings took a huge blow, dropping from 16th to 52nd. The team won 41 games and ranked third in the Atlantic Division, but that wasnt enough for fans accustomed to titles. The coaching staff, too, cant seem to gain momentum with the fans after promoting AHLs Jeff Blashill last year. Down 25 spots, the Red Wings staff continues to try to gain back the trust from the fans. With the hopes of gearing up for a more prosperous season, Blashill and general manager Ken Holland announced earlier this month that Justin Abdelkader will join Henrik Zetterberg and alternate captain Niklas Kronwall as the official leadership team. Just like they await their new arena, the fans are eager to see what Detroit is made of this year.Next: Washington Capitals?| Full rankings ' ' '