Yanks take first place in 3-1 victory over Tribe

Yankees beat Cleveland Indians last evening and with a Boston lost to Toronto the Yankees grab the lead in the AL East for the first time since the last game of the 2006 season.

The bombers offense was dialed in against the 2008 AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee. In the first Derek Jeter led off the game with a line drive single to extend his hitting streak to 12 straight games. Yankees first basemen Mark Teixeria drilled a single to right field to send Jeter over to third base. Cliff Lee walked Alex Rodriguez to face Robinson Cano with the sacks full and won the battle as Lee fanned Cano. Jorge Posada's first game back started sour when he struck out swinging to strand the bases loaded. In the second inning the Yanks went back to business against Lee. Smoking hot Derek Jeter drove Nick Swisher in with a run scoring single. Mark Teixeria's ground out plated Gardner to give the Yanks a 2-0 lead. Lee went on to strikeout Alex Rodriguez looking to limit the damage.

Nick Swisher sacrifice fly scored Robby Cano for the Bronx bombers third and final run of the game. In the fourth Andy Pettitte was still pitching and has been dodging Cleveland threats so far. On a pitch in the Fourth inning Andy Pettitte leaned over and that caused a visit from manager Joe giradi and trainer Steve Donahue but Pettitte stayed in the game. Andy Pettitte got into trouble in the 6th when he walked Mark Derosa and Ben Francisco and fell behind the count to Jamey Carroll, Joe Giradi decided to pull Andy out of the game. Alfredo Aceves came in and completed the walk to Caroll and set up the bases laoded and no outs. Aceves allowed a run to score on Shin-Soo Choo sac fly to give the Indians their only run of the night. Alfredo Aceves was impressive inking two more scoreless innings before handing the ball over to closer Mariano Rivera.

Mariano Rivera came into the game not pitching since Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. He started off shaky when he surrendered up a bloop single to Shin-Soo Choo. Mariano then struck back striking out back to back hitters of Asdrubel cabrera and Grady Sizemore, then got Victor Martinez to ground out to end the game. Mariano Rivera's 10th save of the season and also his 492 save of his career. He also saved Andy Pettitte for the 58Th time,shattering the record of Dennis Eckersley and Bob Welch.

Win: Andy Pettitte 5-1
Losing: Cliff Lee 2-6
Save: Mariano Rivera 10

Game Notes:
Yankees optioned Kevin Cash down to make room for Jorge Posada.
Xaiver Nady is scheduled to continue throwing over next few days.
Cleveland brought up Rafeal Perez and DFA'D former Yankee David Dellucci

Game #48: Yankees at Indians

The Yankees are in a midst of an 7 game road trip...they are 2-1 through 3 games after taking 2 of 3 from Texas in Arlington. Tonight the Yankees begin a 4 game wrap around weekend series in Cleveland to battle the Indians at Progressive Field. The Yankees start the day 0.5 games back behind the Al East leading Boston Red soxs and have won 13 of their last 16 games. Tonight Andy Pettitte takes the mound against 2008 AL Cy young winner Cliff Lee.

Yankees: (27-20)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Gardner CF

Pitching LHP Andy Pettitte (4-1, 4.30)

Indians: (21-28)
Cabrera SS
Sizemore DH
Martinez 1B
Peralta 3B
DeRosa LF
Francisco RF
Carroll 2B
Shoppach C
Crowe CF

Pitching: LHP Cliff Lee (2-5, 3.04)

Notes:
Jorge Posada was activated off the Disabled List today and to make room on the roster they DFA'ed Kevin Cash.

Pitching Probables for Indians series

Friday: 7:05,Yes: LHP Andy Pettitte (4-1, 4.30)vs. LHP Cliff Lee (2-5, 3.04)

Saturday: 7:05, Yes: RHP CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.42)vs. RHP Fausto Carmona (2-4, 6.42)

Sunday: 12:40, Yes/TBS: RHP Phil Hughes (3-2, 5:16)vs.RHP Carl Pavano (4-4, 6.10)

Monday: 7:05, Yes/Espn: RHP Joba Chamberlain ( 2-1, 3.70) vs. RHP Jeremy Sowers (1-2, 7.71)

Series Prediction: Yankees take 3 of 4.