NEW YORK – Chien-Ming Wang pitched eight more shutout innings to win his fifth straight start, and Alex Rodriguez got two key hits in a six-run sixth that broke open the New York Yankees’ 7-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.

Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada homered for the AL East-leading Yankees, who won for the seventh time in eight games and improved to 10-1-1 in their last 12 series.

Bobby Abreu singled and doubled for his first two hits with New York, and fellow newcomer Craig Wilson added a pair of singles in his Yankees debut.

Coming off a two-hitter against Tampa Bay last Friday for his first career shutout, Wang (13-4) buzzed through the best-hitting team in the major leagues and ran his scoreless streak to 18 innings.

Pitching on a sweltering 97-degree night before a sellout crowd of 54,414, Wang allowed four hits and got 16 outs on grounders. The sinkerballer walked three, all in the second inning, and struck out three.

With his impressive run of stingy performances, Wang has surpassed an inconsistent Randy Johnson and become New York’s No. 2 starter – right behind Mike Mussina.

Ron Villone gave up a two-run homer in the ninth to Troy Glaus, his 28th. The Blue Jays entered leading the majors in batting average (.293) and slugging percentage (.480).

Jeter hit a solo homer in the third off ex-Yankee Ted Lilly (9-10).

Rodriguez hustled his way to a leadoff double in the sixth, evading a tag at second base with a clever slide in which he pulled back his left arm and reached around to touch the base with his right. Posada followed with his 13th homer, and Melky Cabrera’s one-out double chased Lilly.

Johnny Damon hit an RBI single off Dustin McGowan, and Jeter walked with the bases loaded to make it 5-0.

After Abreu struck out against Scott Downs, Rodriguez hit a two-run single to left off the glove of diving shortstop John McDonald.

Lilly gave up five runs and 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings.

Notes: The Yankees are 9-2 in their last 11 home games. … The Yankees held a moment of silence before the game and a video tribute before the seventh for former captain Thurman Munson. The catcher was killed in a plane crash 27 years ago on on this date. … Lilly dropped to 2-7 against the Yankees. … The Blue Jays are 3-9 in their past 12 games at Yankees Stadium. … Jeter extended his hitting streak to 11 games. … RHP Cory Lidle, acquired from Philadelphia on Sunday with Abreu, is slated to start Thursday for his Yankees debut.

AP-ES-08-02-06 2222EDT