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Yankees, Indians kick off series in Cleveland

Jul 7, 2014 - 2:56 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Yankees turn to rookie Shane Greene on Monday when they open a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

New York originally had lefty Vidal Nuno slated to start the opener, but he was shipped to Arizona on Sunday for righty Brandon McCarthy. So, instead the team will recall Greene, who will be making his first major league start.

"Every opportunity is an opportunity to shine and get more opportunities," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

Greene appeared in a game earlier this season against the Boston Red Sox and struggled, as he walked three of four hitters and allowed all three to score. Only eight of his 23 pitches went for strikes.

However, Greene threw 13 scoreless innings over his final two starts for Triple-A Scranton.

Greene will try to keep the Yankees rolling on Monday after a series win in Minnesota over the weekend. Jacoby Ellsbury belted a three-run homer and finished with four RBI, as the Yankees survived after building a sizeable lead to beat the Twins, 9-7.

The Yankees led 9-0 after the top of the fourth, but the Twins mounted a comeback and had the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth.

Derek Jeter, who was chosen to his 14th All-Star Game on Sunday, had three hits and knocked in two runs for the Yankees, who took three of four in the series.

New York starter Hiroki Kuroda (6-6) cruised through the first three innings, but had a hiccup in the fourth, allowing four runs. He gave up seven hits and walked two in 5 2/3 innings.

"He had the one inning that was a little bit shaky," Girardi said about Kuroda.

Cleveland, meanwhile, took two of three from AL Central rival Kansas City this past weekend. In Sunday's rubber match, Corey Kluber tossed 8 1/3 innings of one- run ball and the Indians defeated the Royals, 4-1, in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Kluber (8-6) struck out 10, scattered four hits and walked one for the Indians, who have won four of their past five games.

"I don't blame them," Indians manager Terry Francona said of the crowd booing him when he took Kluber out in the ninth. "If I was managing with my heart, I would've left him in there."

Kluber is one of five AL players vying for the final roster spot for next week's All-Star Game in Minnesota.

Getting the call for the Tribe on Monday will be righty Justin Masterson, who is 4-5 with a 5.16 ERA. Masterson did not get a decision on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite a shaky showing that saw him surrender three runs and seven hits in three innings of his team's 10-3 win.

Masterson, though, has been masterful against the Yanks in Cleveland, going 3-0 with a 0.38 ERA in three home starts against them. Overall, he is 4-3 in seven starts versus the Yanks with a 3.00 ERA.

The Yankees were 6-1 against the Indians last season and have won 15 of the last 17 matchups.