Yankees 6, Indians 2
NEW YORK -- Right-hander Luis Severino pitched six innings for his first career win while left fielder Brett Gardner and designated hitter Brian McCann hit home runs in the bottom of the first inning as the New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Indians 6-2 on Saturday afternoon.
In his fourth career start, Severino (1-2) gave up a one-out home run to shortstop Francisco Lindor in the first and two other hits. Lindor also singled off Severino in the fifth and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall singled in the fourth.
Severino went six innings for the third straight start and recorded six strikeouts and worked around a career-high four walks while throwing 107 pitches. Including his 19 minor league starts, it was the most pitches he threw this season.
After seeing a pair of late-inning rallies fall short the previous two games, the Yankees quickly went ahead against Cleveland right-hander Danny Salazar (11-7).
Gardner lined a 1-1 fastball down the right field line off the top of the wall and into the first row for his 12th home run and a 2-0 lead. After Gardner's first home run in nearly a month, McCann sent a 0-1 fastball into the right-center field seats for his 22nd home run.
The Yankees scored an unearned run when Salazar was charged with a throwing error on a ball hit by center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Salazar tried to get the force at second but his errant throw went into center field and second baseman Stephen Drew scored.
New York scored its final runs on a sacrifice flies by right fielder Carlos Beltran in the second and catcher John-Ryan Murphy in the eighth.
After getting outstanding outings by right-handers Josh Tomlin and Carlos Carrasco, Salazar was tagged for five runs (four earned) and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Salazar was unable to get his fourth straight win and matched his second-shortest start of the season.
The Indians had two chances at a big inning after taking a 1-0 lead on Lindor's sixth home run. They had two on with one out in the third when designated hitter Michael Brantley hit a ground ball to first baseman Greg Bird.
Bird opted to get the force at second but made a high throw and appeared to pull shortstop Didi Gregorius off the bag.
Second base umpire Dan Iassogna ruled Lindor was out but Indians manager Terry Francona contended Gregorius off the bag. He requested a review but did not get it and following a heated argument near the Cleveland dugout, Iassogna tossed Francona.
In the sixth, Severino issued consecutive walks but to Chisenhall and center fielder Abraham Almonte but retired catcher Roberto Perez. Cleveland scored its second run when Lindor doubled off the third base bag and scored on a single by Chisenhall in the eighth.
NOTES: Former New York C Jorge Posada had his number retired and was presented with a plaque in Monument Park. The Yankees will do the same Sunday for former LHP Andy Pettitte. ... Cleveland RHP Cody Anderson (strained left oblique) will throw three innings in a rehab game for Class A Lake County, three days after he had a 60-pitch simulated game. ... The Yankees said RHP Michael Pineda will probably return from his right forearm injury Wednesday against the Houston Astros. Pineda made a pair of rehab starts this week, throwing 45 pitches Sunday and 62 on Friday. ... Cleveland manager Terry Francona said he was originally going to start Jose Ramirez in left field but after checking with him, he started him at third base. ... The Yankees designated LHP Chris Capuano for assignment and recalled Branden Pinder from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.