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Jeter returns, but Tomlin silences Yanks

Jul 5, 2011 - 4:32 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Austin Kearns and Carlos Santana both homered and Josh Tomlin took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, as the Cleveland Indians beat the New York Yankees, 6-3, in the opener of a three-game series.

The story for the Yankees was Derek Jeter's return to the lineup. The shortstop's pursuit for 3,000 hits was put on hold June 14 due to a strained right calf. Following two rehab games with Double-A Trenton over the weekend, Jeter was activated on Monday, but is still stuck on 2,994 hits after going 0- for-4.

Tomlin (10-4) gave up two runs on three hits over seven innings for the Indians, who have won four of five. He set a modern Major League record by pitching at least five innings for the 29th consecutive start, the longest streak to begin a career.

"He was able to hold down that amazing lineup that they have over there for six innings hitless, and then just gave up two runs," Indians manager Manny Acta said.

Curtis Granderson hit a solo homer for New York, which has lost two in a row since a seven-game winning streak. Nick Swisher drove in two runs.

A.J. Burnett (8-7) allowed four runs on four hits over seven innings to suffer the loss. He struck out six and walked four.

Tomlin was sensational through the first six innings despite a bit of a slow start.

Jeter led off the game with a chopper to third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall, who failed to field the ball cleanly. It was ruled an error as Jeter made his way to first. Granderson followed with a walk to put men on first and second with nobody out.

But Tomlin got into a groove and retired the next 18 batters he faced until Mark Teixeira broke up the no-hit bid with a single up the middle to start the seventh.

After Alex Rodriguez struck out swinging, Robinson Cano reached base on an infield single to third and Swisher followed with a two-run double to left- center field to break a scoreless tie. Jorge Posada and Russell Martin both grounded out to end the inning.

Meanwhile, Burnett was also having a good game on the mound for the Yankees. But he struggled in the seventh, too.

Grady Sizemore worked a one-out walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Chisenhall walked to put men on first and second with two outs and Burnett then allowed back-to-back hits to a pair of former Yankees. Shelley Duncan hit an RBI single to right and Kearns belted a three-run homer to right for a 4-2 Cleveland lead.

"They made some good at-bats in the seventh and were able to draw walks," Burnett said. "Walks will kill you, bottom line."

The late-inning fireworks continued in the eighth. With two down, Granderson hit a solo homer to right off Vinnie Pestano to make it 4-3.

The Indians responded promptly with two runs in the home eighth. Cory Wade gave up a one-out infield single to Travis Hafner, who scored on Santana's blast to left.

Chris Perez tossed a scoreless ninth to pick up his 20th save of the season.

Game Notes

The Yankees took three of four from the Indians earlier in the year and own a 13-5 record in the past 18 meetings...The Yankees posted a 14-4 record in Jeter's absence...Cleveland started a seven-game homestand on Monday...The Indians were without outfielder Travis Buck (hamstring)...Burnett fell to 3-6 lifetime against Cleveland...Tomlin, who struck out five and walked one, is 3-0 over his last four starts.