Granderson Hits No.200, Yankees Beat Indians 4-2

The Yankees (74-53) were able to edge the Indians (55-72) 4-2 in the rubber game of the weekend series thanks to some timely hitting and solid extended bullpen work after a short yet effective outing from Freddy Garcia.

The Yankees were able to get on the board first in the top of the second inning against Cleveland starter Ubaldo Jimenez.  Eric Chavez led off with a single to center field, and Raul Ibanez followed with a walk, Ichiro then laced a single back up the middle scoring Chavez. Chris Stewart the next hitter layed down a perfect sac-bunt down the third base line putting runners on second and third with one out for Derek Jeter. Jeter grounded out to third but picked up a RBI when Raul Ibanez scored from third. The next hitter Nick Swisher brought in Ichiro with a RBI single of his own and put the Yankees on top 3-0. Swisher finished going 3 for 4 with a double and two singles. Jimenez went five innings gave up three runs on eight hits and struck out four.

After shutting out the Indians for the first four innings Freddy Garcia got into trouble in the fifth. Garcia quickly retired the first two batters of the inning, then Jason Kipnis singled, Asdrubal Cabrera was hit by a pitch and Shin-Soo Choo walked loading the bases. The next batter Carlos Santana singled to center field scoring two making the score 3-2 Yankees. Garcia was pulled for Boone Logan who was able to Michael Brantley for the final out of the inning. Garcia went 4 2/3 gave up two runs on four hits and struck out six.

In the sixth inning Curtis Granderson homered off of reliever Tony Sipp putting the Yankees up 4-2. It was Granderson’s 33^rd home run of the season and the 200^th of his career.

Rafael Soriano came on in the eighth inning with two outs and pitched a scoreless ninth for his 33^rd save of the season.

The Yankees will travel home to start a series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night. Ricky Romero (8-11 5.63) will start for the Blue Jays while David Phelps (3-4 2.69) starts for the Yankees. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30, first pitch at 7:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.