Yanks pull off quick turnaround
The New York Yankees couldn't quite wipe out memories of the second-worst loss in franchise history in 24 hours.
They still came pretty close.
A day after losing 19-1 to Cleveland, the Yankees beat the Indians 11-3 Wednesday night with Mike Mussina adding in a little American League history.
"It's a nice way to come back after what happened to us," Mussina (10-3) said after becoming the first AL pitcher to win at least 10 games in 15 consecutive seasons.
Mussina allowed three runs and five hits in six innings and didn't show any effects from a slight groin pull. He improved his career record to 234-130. He started with Baltimore in 1991 and joined the Yankees in 2001.
"It's a nice accomplishment," Mussina said. "I was a little surprised I was the first one to do it. Hopefully, I can keep it going and come back and do it again."
Rookie Melky Cabrera's first career grand slam highlighted an eight-run fourth inning for New York.
New York's rebound win may have come with a price as center fielder Johnny Damon left in the third inning with a slight muscle pull in his stomach. The Yankees are already missing outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui because of injuries and second baseman Robinson Cano is also on the disabled list.
Damon first felt a pain during batting practice, and then while taking a swing in the on-deck circle before his first at-bat.
"It's sore," said Damon, who expects to sit out today's series finale. "I'm a quick healer, so I think it will be OK."
Ben Broussard hit a two-run homer and Todd Hollandsworth had a solo shot for the Indians, who had their winning streak stopped at four.
Cleveland third baseman Aaron Boone had three errors, two in the eight-run fourth.
Cabrera, who went homerless in 130 at-bats to start his career before connecting against Cleveland on June 15, made it 5-1 with the grand slam.
Paul Byrd (6-6) allowed nine runs — four earned — and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings, his shortest outing since lasting only three innings at Kansas City on April 22.
At Oakland, Kenny Rogers won his seventh straight decision and Craig Monroe hit a two-run homer as Detroit avoided a three-game sweep.Brandon Inge added a solo homer for the Tigers, who have the best record in baseball (57-28) but had lost three of four following a seven-game winning streak. Rogers (11-3) gave up four earned runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.
At St. Petersburg, Fla., Carl Crawford singled twice, drove in two runs and stole three bases — including home in the fourth inning — to lead Tampa Bay to its third straight victory over the Red Sox.Jason Varitek had a solo homer for the Red Sox, who are 6-1 against the Devil Rays at Fenway Park this year, but have lost five of six at Tropicana Field.
At Arlington, Texas, Ian Kinsler had three hits, including one of the Rangers' four homers, and Vicente Padilla (8-5) struck out a season-high 10.Hank Blalock, Michael Young and Rod Barajas also homered for the Rangers, who also hit four doubles.Frank Catalanotto homered for the Blue Jays, who have won six of nine overall but lost to Texas for the 16th time in the last 20 meetings.
At Chicago, Jon Garland (8-3) allowed six hits in 7 1/3 innings to win his fourth straight decision.Closer Bobby Jenks gave up three straight hits and a run in the ninth before striking out the final three batters to earn his 26th save.
At Kansas City, John Buck and Reggie Sanders each had two hits and two RBI, and Mark Grudzielanek had three hits for the Royals, who have won 11 of their last 16.
At Seattle, Bartolo Colon threw a four-hitter for his eighth career shutout and first win since September, and Los Angeles completed its first three-game sweep of the season.Rob Quinlan and Orlando Cabrera drove in all the runs in the fifth with homers to back Colon (1-4), last year's AL Cy Young Award winner.
