Luis Gil pitched six effective innings in his longest start since returning from a strained lat that sidelined him for four months, and the New York Yankees withstood a lengthy rain delay for a 3-1 victory over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon.

Gil (3-1) allowed one run before heavy rain delayed the game for one hour, 46 minutes. He struck out one, walked four, and gave up three hits on 90 pitches. He got seven outs on fly balls.

Gil was also aided by strong defense in right field when Cody Bellinger threw out Bo Bichette on a close play in the sixth before the game was delayed. As the rain intensified, Nathan Lukes lined a single to right and Bichette attempted to score the tying run from second.

Bellinger made a strong throw on one hop to catcher Austin Wells. Wells pivoted to his left towards the third base side and tagged Bichette on the stomach.

Bellinger recorded his sixth outfield assist this season and it helped the Yankees (79-63) win for the 10th time in 13 games and move three games behind Toronto (82-60) for the AL East lead.

Bichette appeared to injure his leg on the play but stayed in the game following the delay.

Jasson Dominguez hit an RBI single in the second off Toronto's Chris Bassitt (11-8), and Wells lifted a pair sacrifice flies as the Yankees eked out their fourth win in 12 meetings with Toronto.

Fernando Cruz stranded two in the seventh after relieving Luke Weaver following Wells' second sacrifice fly in the sixth. David Bednar easily recorded the final four outs for his fourth save with the Yankees and 21st overall.

Bassitt allowed two unearned runs on three hits in five innings. He struck out three and walked three in an 80-pitch outing.

The Yankees went ahead after first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. misplayed a grounder by Jazz Chisholm Jr. On the next pitch Dominguez lined a single to center field and two batters later, right fielder Addison Barger made a diving catch on Wells' sinking liner as Chisholm scored.

Toronto capitalized on two walks to start the fourth, when the Yankees were unable to turn a double play on Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

New York nearly scored in the fifth, but replays determined Guerrero tagged Bellinger on the cleat after fielding a high throw from Bichette.