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Rodriguez backs Wright as Yankees top Indians

Apr 18, 2007 - 5:48 AM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- While rookie Chase Wright was successful in his first appearance on a major league mound, it was the same old story for red-hot Alex Rodriguez.

Battling dank and blustery conditions, Wright tossed five effective innings and Rodriguez continued his torrid April with three more RBI as the Yankees posted an 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Jorge Posada belted his 200th career homer for New York, which bounced back from a disappointing loss at Oakland on Sunday. Legendary closer Mariano Rivera allowed a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.

But on Wednesday, Rodriguez put the game out of reach early, blasting a soaring two-run homer off Jake Westbrook in the second inning which careened off the protective net just short of New York's bullpen in left-center field.

"I feel like I am in a good place right now," Rodriguez said. "I have felt like that for about seven weeks going back to Tampa (spring training). You have periods where you do well, but I don't know whether it has ever been the first two weeks of April."

The star third baseman, who leads the majors with eight homers and 21 RBI, highlighted a six-run frame. After Jason Giambi singled, Posada followed with a two-run shot of his own to make it 8-1.

"I'm really happy I got (200th homer) out of the way," Posada said. "Sometimes, you're looking too hard to get it. I got a fastball out and over the plate and drove it."

The Yankees made the lead stand up thanks to Wright (1-0), who allowed three runs, five hits and three walks while striking out three in his major league debut.

"I think I showed I can get these hitters out and compete at this level," Wright said. "I came here (Monday) when nobody was (at Yankee Stadium) and just kind of looked around to be more comfortable here.

"There was a tarp over the mound, but I stood out there anyway. It was amazing. I had to make sure I kept my eyes down on Jorge's mitt. I have to work on fastball command and first-pitch strikes. I have some work to do."

The 24-year-old lefthander was called up from Class AA Trenton on Tuesday, two days after the Yankees placed veteran starters Mike Mussina (left hamstring) and Carl Pavano (right forearm) on the disabled list.

"I think he did a good job of bearing down and not giving in to the fight," New York coach Joe Torre said. "I certainly like what we saw tonight. Even in the first inning with the 3-2 pitch to (Grady) Sizemore, it was close. He was around the plate and continued to make his pitches, even though he wasn't throwing strikes.

"He wasn't afraid to throw the off-speed pitches, whether it be the curveball or the changeup. I don't think he was cold. He probably was the only one not cold. That would be my guess. I think he had that blood rushing."

Wright's teammates were impressed.

"He has good command. We saw it in the spring," Posada said. "He keeps the changeup down and has great arm speed on it. He sells it well."

"It was exciting. (Wright) had a lot of energy," Rodriguez said. "He was surprisingly relaxed before the game, which is unusual for a young pitcher. It's nice to give a young pitcher a three- or four-run cushion. Once we got ahead, he got a lot of swings and misses and poor swings. The key for him was getting ahead and attacking hitters."

Westbrook (0-2) was completely ineffective, yielding eight runs, eight hits, two walks and three homers in 1 2/3 innings for the Indians. The righthander has allowed 18 runs - 17 earned - and 20 hits in 12 2/3 frames this season.

"I don't think there's anything to worry about," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "I know Jake is disappointed. I think today he was just missing early. The balls were just going off the plate then he came back in the middle.

"He was up a little bit, and they got to him. In the (second) inning, he got two outs with no runs in, but he wasn't able to get through it. It was one of those days."