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Yankees return to Cleveland for first time since 2007 ALDS

Apr 25, 2008 - 1:07 PM NY Yankees (12-11) at Cleveland (9-12) 7:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) - The New York Yankees face the Cleveland Indians on Friday for the first time since a swarm of midges invaded Progressive Field during Game Two of the 2007 American League Division Series.

The Indians went on to win the game, 2-1, in 11 innings last October as the Yankees fell behind, two-games-to-none in the best-of-five series before being eliminated at home in Game Four.

Andy Pettitte (3-1, 2.45 ERA) started Game Two of the ALDS and will once again be on the mound for New York on Friday in the opener of the four-game series.

The veteran lefthander was terrific in his last start, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowed just four hits while striking out five en route to a 7-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles - his third straight win.

Pettitte is 5-3 with a 3.72 ERA in nine career starts at Progressive Field.

Despite a pair of strong outings in his last two starts, Indians starter Paul Byrd (0-2, 4.43) is still in search of his first win of the season.

Byrd has allowed just two runs - one earned - in 13 innings during his last two outings, but has not factored in either decision. The 37-year-old righthander also has nine strikeouts and no walks over that span.