New York Yankees 11 — Cleveland Indians 6
Travis Hafner made his return to Cleveland in a big way in today’s 11-6 win over the Cleveland Indians, their second win in a row.
The home opener featured Ubaldo Jimenez as the starting pitcher for the Indians. A walk of Robinson Cano and a single to Kevin Youkilis put two on for the returning Travis Hafner.
In 10 years with the Cleveland Indians, Hafner hit 200 home runs. On a 2-0 count, Hafner reminded the Cleveland crowd what that looked like. Travis Hafner hit a three-run home run to center field, his second of the season, to put the Yankees ahead 3-0.
Hiroki Kuroda took the mound for the Yankees, looking to show he is healthy after exiting his first start against Boston early due to an injury to a finger on his pitching hand. Early, it appeared the injury was having an effect. Two walks, three hits, and a pair of sacrifice flies would give the entire lead back, tying the game at 3. But this would be the only damage the Indians would make off of Kuroda.
Despite uncharacteristically walking four, Kuroda went 5.1 innings, striking out six and giving up just the three runs in the first inning.
Robinson Cano appeared to find his swing again, starting the third inning with a double and would score again after Travis Hafner hit a single to center field, driving in the first four runs for the Yankees. This would just be the start for Robinson Cano; in the fifth inning, Cano would hit his first home run of the season the opposite way. He would come through a second time with another home run in the sixth inning.
Entering today’s game, Robinson Cano was hitting 3 for 23 (.130). Robinson Cano got three hits and scoring four times today. Hopefully, his early season slump has been solved.
Travis Hafner would spark the offense one more time in the seventh inning with a walk. A pair of singles would bring home Hafner for the third time today. A miscue between the pitcher and catcher would bring one more run home on a wild pitch.
Reliever Shawn Kelley, looking to rebound from a two inning effort in Detroit in which he surrendered three runs, two on home runs, got 1.1 innings of work today but was not sharp in his second inning. In the eighth inning, he would give up three runs, two on a home run. He would get four strikeouts but his earned run average has ballooned to 10.13. Joba Chamberlain entered the ninth inning looking to get work and also get things right in the bullpen. In his inning, with a five-run lead, Chamberlain would walk two and finish the game with a strikeout.
Overall, the bullpen has not been a comfort just yet.
Win – Hiroki Kuroda (1-1)
Loss – Ubaldo Jimenez (0-1)
Notables
Yankees
*Travis Hafner – 2 for 3, 3 R, 2 BB, 3-Run Home Run (2) in the 1st, 4 RBI (6)
*Robinson Cano – 3 for 4, 4 R, BB, 2B, 2 Solo Home Runs (2) in the 5th & 6th, 2 RBI (2)
Indians
*Michael Brantley – 1 for 5, RBI (2)
*Mark Reynolds – 1 for 4, R, 2B, RBI (8)
Current Yankees Record: 3-4 (Streak – W2)
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