The Yankees took the opener of their weekend series against the Indians with a 3-1 win at Progressive Field on Friday night. In his first start after coming off the DL, Yankee ace CC Sabathia baffled his former team and held the Tribe to just one run on four hits in 7.1 innings of work. The big lefty also fanned nine Indians, who were simply overmatched as their losing streak extended to nine games. It was an encouraging performance for the ace who seemed eager to get back on the mound and re-join the club for the stretch run into September.
On offense, it was the Nick Swisher show as the Yankees right fielder drove in all three runs. New York got to Cleveland starter Corey Kluber in the top of the first with back-to-back extra base hits. Derek Jeter led off the game with a double and Swisher ripped a Kluber offering to right for a double that promptly made it 1-0.
In Sabathia's only mistake of the night, Asdrubal Cabrera would even things up with a blast to straightaway center for the Tribe. It would remain knotted at 1-1 until Swisher stepped into the box in the top of the seventh. Once again, Jeter got on ahead of him with an infield single and Swisher then smashed a homer 399 feet to right center to put the Yankees ahead for good.
The Indians would put two runners on against Rafael Soriano in the ninth, but the Yankees closer slammed the door to preserve the 3-1 win. New York will try to take the series on Saturday with Hiroki Kuroda on the mound.
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