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Clemens aim to help Yankees avoid series sweep

Oct 7, 2007 - 2:06 PM Cleveland at NY Yankees 6:37 pm EDT American League Division Series Indians lead, 2-0

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The New York Yankees turn to Roger Clemens with the hopes of saving their season.

The Yankees will try to avoid playoff elimination when they face the Cleveland Indians in Game Three of the American League Division Series on Sunday.

In Game Two at Jacobs Field, New York starter Andy Pettitte was strong over 6 1/3 innings to keep Cleveland off the board before handing things over to the bullpen.

However, Yankees rookie Joba Chamberlain's wild pitch enabled the Indians to tie the game at 1-1 in the eighth and Luis Vizcaino surrendered the game-winning, RBI single to Travis Hafner in the 11th as Cleveland grabbed a 2-0 edge in the series.

"We have to win a game," Yankees All-Star shortstop Derek Jeter said following Friday's disappointing setback.

New York manager Joe Torre is putting his trust in Clemens, who returns to the hill for the first time since September 16 because of an injured hamstring.

"We're back home now, and we need to hold our home-field advantage," Clemens said. "Bottom line is for me to get the ball to the next starter, whoever that is."

A seven-time Cy Young Award winner, the veteran righthander was brought back to the Big Apple for moments such as this. He went 6-6 with a 4.18 ERA through 17 starts.

"I don't know about the last 20 years, but I think we've got enough information to have an idea of where he's at," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "It's Roger Clemens. You know what type of competitor he is. But I think we've got enough history."

The 45-year-old Clemens has a 12-8 mark in 34 career postseason games. He is appearing in his playoff game since Game One of the 2005 World Series as a member of the Houston Astros.

Clemens was not smiling in his last postseason game at Yankee Stadium, as he watched the Florida Marlins celebrate their second World Series crown in Game Six in 2003.

The Indians will counter with Jake Westbrook, who bounce back after a slow start to go 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA over his final 13 regular-season starts.

"Jake had to battle some injuries early on," Wedge said. "But once he worked his way beyond that, he's really settled in. I mean, he really has. He's a guy that prides himself on being someone that you can count on. And you know what you're going to get from him."

Despite Westbrook's solid performance of late, the Yankees have collected 12 runs and 17 hits in 7 2/3 innings in two triumphs off the righthander this campaign.

AL MVP candidate Alex Rodriguez could finally breakout in front of the home crowd, as he is batting .375 with a homer when facing Westbrook. Rodriguez is hitless in six at-bats in the series.

While Rodriguez endures yet another postseason slump, Travis Hafner continued his solid campaign, going 3-for-10 with a home run and two RBI through the first two games for Cleveland.