With Ryan on the disabled list due to a strained trapezius muscle, Downs took over ninth-inning duties. But on Tuesday, general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Downs would remain in that role even when Ryan returns Friday -- at least in the short term, until the Jays see some consistency out of Ryan.

"I think he understands, I understand, we're close buddies so we talk a lot," Downs said of the issue. "I pulled for him 100 percent, he pulls for me 100 percent, and he just wants what's best for the team. Right now that's what they feel, so that's what he's going to go with, so we'll see what happens from there."

Manager Cito Gaston said that giving the job to Downs at this point is what's best for the club.

"He's the best we have," Gaston said of Downs, who is 3-for-3 in save situations.

The Jays are still not sure where they'll slot Ryan in the bullpen.

"I think we'd like to see what's going on," Gaston said. "I'm not going to use him as a mop-up, but I'm not sure if I'll throw him right in there in situations that are really going to put some pressure on him to do well."

YANKEES 3, BLUE JAYS 2: Hideki Matsui hit a solo home run off LHP Jesse Carlson in the eighth inning to snap a 2-2 tie and power the Yankees to a 2-1 series victory. It marked just the second losing series for the Jays this season. RF Alex Rios hit a solo homer in the fourth inning, and C Rod Barajas hit an RBI double in the fifth to give Toronto a 2-1 lead.