Perhaps the rumors of the New York Yankees' demise were greatly exaggerated. New York targets a fourth straight win on Thursday when they close out what is now a three-game set with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
This was scheduled to be a four-game series, but rain caused a postponement on Wednesday. New York, though, may not have wanted the day off after scoring 25 runs through the first two games of the series.
New York's offensive onslaught continued on Tuesday, as Robinson Cano finished with four hits, including a pair of doubles and a two-run homer, part of a five-RBI performance and the Yankees rolled to a 14-1 win.
Kevin Youkilis and Brennan Boesch added two-run shots, while Ichiro Suzuki and Lyle Overbay posted solo homers for the Yankees, who managed 18 hits in the triumph. The outburst was more than enough for Andy Pettitte (2-0), who yielded five hits and one run over seven strong innings.
Asdrubal Cabrera homered and Nick Swisher posted two hits for the Indians, who have lost five of six.
In his first start since recovering from Tommy John surgery, Carlos Carrasco (0-1) lasted 3 2/3 innings, yielding seven hits and seven runs before being ejected for hitting Youkilis following Cano's home run.
"The left-handers gave (Carrasco) a tough time," Indians manager Terry Francona said.
Carrasco hadn't taken the mound since a loss at Boston on Aug. 3, 2011, and the rust showed early against a potent New York attack which struck for 11 runs in Monday's series opener.
Hoping for similar support on Thursday, the Yankees will rely on righty Phil Hughes, rather than Ivan Nova, who originally was slated to start on Wednesday.
"We'll skip (Nova)," Girardi said. "If he's skipped, he'll be in the bullpen a couple days, and then we'll get him back (in the rotation) the following week."
Hughes absorbed the loss in Detroit on Saturday, as he allowed four runs (3 earned) and eight hits in four innings.
Hughes has had success versus the Indians over the course of his career, posting a 3-1 mark to go along with a 2.61 ERA in five starts. However, his overall 7.03 ERA in April is his highest in any month.
Former Yankees farmhand Zach McAllister will get the start for the Indians.
McAllister, who was a third-round draft pick of the Yankees in 2006, lost his initial start of the season to the Tampa Bay Rays, as he allowed four runs (2 earned) and six hits in six innings.
The Yankees, who took five of six from the Indians last season, last swept a three-game series in Cleveland Aug. 10-12, 2007.
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