Carrasco strikes out 11, Indians beat Yankees once again
NEW YORK (AP) -- Carlos Carrasco struck out 11, Carlos Santana homered and the Cleveland Indians stopped the New York Yankees once again, beating the AL East leaders 7-3 Friday night.
The last-place Indians improved to 4-1 against New York this year. A night after a 3-2 victory at Yankee Stadium, Cleveland remained the only sub-.500 team in the majors with a winning record on the road.
Carrasco (12-9) outpitched Masahiro Tanaka (9-6), giving up one run and five hits in 6 2-3 innings. Carrasco has permitted just six runs in his last five starts. Soon after he left, the Yankees got close.
Alex Rodriguez bounced an RBI single in the eighth off Zach McAllister that made it 4-2. With two outs, second baseman Jose Ramirez let an easy grounder roll between his legs for an error that produced another run.
Closer Cody Allen retired Stephen Drew on a long fly with the bases loaded to end the inning, protecting a 4-3 lead.
Allen finished for his 25th save in 28 chances. On Friday night, he escaped his own ninth-inning jam for a save.
Michael Brantley hit his second RBI single of the game during a three-run ninth as Cleveland broke away. Santana beat out a double-play relay for the final run.
Santana lined his 14th home run, all left-handed by the switch-hitter, leading off the sixth against Tanaka for a 3-1 lead. The homer came on the first pitch after catcher Brian McCann lunged into the stands for a foul popup, but had the ball glance off his glove -- a fan in the front row held up a piece of paper, trying to shield his baby, and that seemed to tangle up McCann.
The Indians took a 2-1 lead in the fifth when backup shortstop Brendan Ryan fumbled Francisco Lindor's easy chopper over the mound with two outs and runners at the corners.
