TORONTO – Alex Rodriguez helped the New York Yankees end their five-game losing streak with his bat – and his mouth, apparently.

Rodriguez appeared to distract Toronto third baseman Howie Clark on a key popup late in the game, touching off arguments all over the field, and the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 10-5 Wednesday night.

Rodriguez hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth that made it 7-5. Jorge Posada followed with a high pop and Rodriguez ran hard, cutting between Clark and shortstop John McDonald.

It seemed as if Rodriguez said something, and Clark backed off at the last second. McDonald was only a few steps behind Clark, but couldn’t make the catch and ball dropped for an RBI single.

McDonald started jawing with Rodriguez, and third base umpire Chad Fairchild got between them. Toronto manager John Gibbons came out to argue, and exchanged words with Rodriguez and third base coach Larry Bowa before leaving the field as plate umpire Eric Cooper intervened.

As Jason Giambi stepped up to hit, he seemed to get into it with catcher Jason Phillips and Cooper settled them down.

Giambi followed with a two-run single.

Johnny Damon led off the game with a home run for the Yankees, who avoided falling nine games under .500 for the first time since they were 20-29 after play on June 20, 1995, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Pitching for the first time since May 26, Mariano Rivera recorded the final four outs for his fourth save in six chances.

Alex Rios and Matt Stairs each hit two-run homers and McDonald added a solo shot.

New York took a quick lead against rookie Jesse Litsch (1-2), scoring five times in the first inning. Damon opened the game with his 22nd career leadoff homer.

Derek Jeter struck out, but Hideki Matsui’s single and walks to Rodriguez and Posada loaded the bases for Giambi, who hit a sacrifice fly.

Josh Phelps followed with a two-run single and Robinson Cano hit an RBI double, bringing Brian Tallet from the bullpen.

Making just his fourth major league start, Litsch allowed a season-high five runs on four hits.

Damon singled in the second for his 2,000th career hit.

Melky Cabrera singled home Cano in the sixth off reliever Josh Towers.

Yankees rookie Tyler Clippard (2-1) gave up three runs and four hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked five, but none of the walks came around to score.

Rios homered in the third. Toronto then loaded the bases with two outs but Clark flied out.

McDonald homered in the fourth and Stairs hit a two-run shot off reliever Brian Bruney in the seventh.

It was the first time Bruney had given up a run since April 23 at Tampa Bay. He had pitched 13 2-3 scoreless innings since.

Notes: Jeter finished 0-4 with three strikeouts. … Yankees OF Bobby Abreu got the night off. … Reliever Brian Wolfe made his major league debut in the ninth, making him the 500th player in Blue Jays history.

AP-ES-05-30-07 2257EDT