Guardians 4 - 5 Yankees
Final
  for this game

Yankees complete sweep of Indians; lose Pettitte

Jun 27, 2012 - 10:51 PM

Video

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Robinson Cano went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians, 5-4, to complete a three- game sweep.

But the win proved to be costly for the Yankees, who have won five in a row. After placing CC Sabathia on the 15-day disabled list prior to the contest, New York saw Andy Pettitte exit in the fifth inning with a left ankle fracture.

Sabathia is only expected to miss a pair of starts due to the All-Star break. However, the news is not so great for Pettitte. He's expected to miss at least six weeks. The 40-year-old will be placed on crutches and into a boot.

Eric Chavez went 2-for-3 with three RBI for the Yankees, who recorded their seventh series sweep of the season.

Pettitte gave up two runs -- one earned -- on three hits before leaving. Freddy Garcia (2-2), who was scheduled to start Friday's game against the White Sox, tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win.

"I felt I needed to try to win the game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, "and Freddy did an outstanding job. He's one of the reasons we won this game today."

Michael Brantley, Shelley Duncan, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Kipnis each knocked in a run for the Indians, who have dropped five straight games.

Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6) allowed four runs on four hits over six full frames. He struck out seven and walked four.

"He's a competitor. He's a great pitcher," Jimenez said of Pettitte. "Everybody has followed him -- even when I was a kid. He's been with the Yankees for a long time. It's really sad. It's really sad for any pitcher. It could happen to anyone."

The Indians got on the board in the second. Carlos Santana reached first on third baseman Alex Rodriguez's throwing error and scored on Duncan's double to right-center field.

New York's first hit of the game came in the fourth, when Cano hit a one-out single. Raul Ibanez walked and both runners scored on Chavez's double to left- center field.

But the Yankees lost the lead and Pettitte in the fifth. Casey Kotchman led off with an infield single that hit off the left ankle of Pettitte. Cody Eppley came in from the bullpen and gave up an infield single to Lou Marson. The runners moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt and Clay Rapada came into the game. Kotchman was thrown out at the plate on Brantley's grounder. Cabrera and Kipnis followed with consecutive RBI singles to give Cleveland a 3-2 edge.

"It's frustrating...you get hit on the leg on a ball up the middle, and now you're going to be out four-to-six weeks before you can probably throw a baseball," Girardi said of Pettitte.

New York took the lead back for good in the sixth. Rodriguez led off with a double down the right-field line and scored on Cano's homer to left.

The Yankees tacked on a key insurance run in the eighth. Mark Teixeira reached base when he grounded into a fielder's choice, moved to second on Ibanez's single and scored on Chavez's base hit to right.

The Indians did not go down without a fight in the ninth. Rafael Soriano loaded the bases with one out. Pinch-hitter Johnny Damon struck out swinging before Brantley walked to force in a run. Cabrera flied out to left to end the game.

Game Notes

Girardi said after the game that Adam Warren will start on Friday. He added that Garcia will start on Monday...New York has won 15 of 18 and 19 of 24 in June.






Related News