Sun Apr 27 19:58:21 2008

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Wang twirls a four-hitter as Yanks blank Tribe

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Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Chien-Ming Wang threw seven brilliant innings of four-hit ball en route to a 1-0 New York Yankees victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Wang (5-0) also struck out nine and only walked two batters for the Yankees, who snapped a three-game skid and will conclude the four-game set Monday evening at Progressive Field. Wang becomes the first American League pitcher to win five games. The last Yankees pitcher to start the season 5-0 was Kevin Brown in 2004.

Mariano Rivera notched his seventh save of the year by striking out two in a perfect ninth inning. The save was also the 450th of Rivera's illustrious career.

Melky Cabrera went 1-for-3 and provided all the offense the Yankees needed with a solo home run in the fifth. Derek Jeter had a double in the win.

Jason Michaels had a double for the Indians, who saw their five-game win streak derailed. David Dellucci recorded a hit in the loss, as did Victor Martinez, who extended his hit streak to nine games.

Grady Sizemore missed the start due to a sprained ankle, ending his consecutive games played streak at 382, which was the longest active such string in the majors.

C.C. Sabathia (1-4) absorbed the loss, despite hurling eight innings, striking out eight batters, walking one and only being touched for four hits. Sabathia fell to 1-8 lifetime against the Yankees.

The Yankees broke a scoreless tie in the fifth, as Cabrera slugged a solo home run, his fifth of the season, over the fence in left field.

Joba Chamberlain came on in relief of Wang in the eighth and retired the side in order with only 10 pitches.

Rivera pitched the ninth for New York and got Martinez to fly out, then caught Ryan Garko and Jhonny Peralta looking to close out the game.

Game Notes

Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was scratched from the lineup prior to the game, though no reason was given...The last 1-0 New York victory came on July 7, 2006, when the Yankees beat Tampa...Wang improves to 17-1 with a 3.08 ERA against the AL Central...Attendance was 31,598.