Fri Apr 25 23:02:25 2008

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Jhonny on the spot: Peralta's blast sends Tribe over Yanks

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Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Jhonny Peralta went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and finished with four runs batted in to lead the Cleveland Indians past the New York Yankees, 6-4.

The game was New York's first time back in Cleveland since Game 2 of last year's ALDS when a swarm of Lake Erie bugs helped derail its playoff run.

Jamey Carroll ended 2-for-5 with a run scored and one driven in for Cleveland, which has rattled off four wins in a row. Franklin Gutierrez accounted for the other run with a solo home run.

Paul Byrd (1-2) was given the win as he hurled 5 2/3 innings, yielding four runs on six hits. Rafael Betancourt earned his second save of the season by tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

Jason Giambi hit two home runs, good for three RBI, for the Yankees, who have dropped their last two contests. Hideki Matsui also had a solo homer.

Andy Pettitte (3-2) was dealt the loss after he was roughed up for five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits in five frames on the hill. The Yankees depleted bullpen was solid, surrendering only a run and a hit in three innings of work.

The reigning American League MVP, Alex Rodriguez, was in New York's lineup for the first time since last Sunday, when he strained his quadriceps in Baltimore. He went 0-for-4 and left one runner stranded.

Giambi evened the score in the second inning with his fourth home run of the year, and put the Yankees on top 3-1 with a two-run homer in the fourth.

The Indians got back on top in the fifth inning. Travis Hafner sparked a two-out rally with a single, and Victor Martinez followed suit with another base hit. Peralta then crushed a three-run homer over the fence in left center. Gutierrez followed with a solo shot for a 5-3 Cleveland advantage.

Matsui's solo homer in the sixth made it 5-4.

Billy Traber took over for Pettitte on the mound in the home half and issued a two-out walk to Grady Sizemore, who stole second base. Carroll then made contact on an RBI single to left, and Cleveland's lead stood at two runs.

Betancourt came in for the ninth and retired Rodriguez, Matsui and Posada to secure the Cleveland victory.

In Cleveland's first at-bat, Carroll reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and moved to third on Hafner's groundout. Martinez walked and Peralta's RBI single made it 1-0.

Game Notes

The Yankees had won eight in a row in the series and five straight in Cleveland during the regular season before Friday's defeat...The Yankees have injury concerns from their bullpen. Reliever Brian Bruney is expected to head back to New York to see a foot specialist, after being placed on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game and could miss the entire season. Kyle Farnsworth also injured his elbow on Thursday. His injury, though, is not considered serious.