NEW YORK — C.C. Sabathia retired the first 14 Cleveland hitters, struggled in the latter part of the game but wound up going the distance as the New York Yankees completed a three-game sweep with a 6-4 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
Sabathia (6-4) allowed four runs and seven hits in his 36th career complete game. He struck out nine and issued one walk but took an interesting path toward his second straight win after five consecutive winless outings.
Sabathia threw 56 pitches during his perfect game bid, which ended with a single to left field by Mike Aviles with two outs in the fifth. Before allowing his first hit, he had struck out five and recorded seven outs on the ground and two in the air.
Sabathia was trying to pitch his second career one-hitter but gave up three straight hits with one out in the sixth. He lost his shutout bid when Jason Kipnis singled just past first baseman Mark Teixeira’s glove into right field and when Nick Swisher drove in a run on a force play at second.
After allowing those runs, Sabathia struck out Mark Reynolds on a fastball that hit the outside corner.
In the seventh, Sabathia, allowed a two-run homer to Yan Gomes on a first-pitch slider with two outs.
Sabathia opened the eighth with strikeouts of Michael Bourn and Kipnis before walking Swisher. He maintained the lead by getting Reynolds to fly out on a first-pitch fastball and finished up by retiring six of the final seven hitters.
By the time Sabathia gave up a hit, the Yankees led 6-0, aided by home runs from Travis Hafner and Brett Gardner off Corey Kluber (3-4).
Hafner hit a two-run shot on a 2-1 fastball into the second deck in right field with two out in the first. Gardner added a three-run homer to right field on a 1-2 curveball with one out in the second.
The Yankees had the bases with two outs in the seventh against reliever Joe Smith, but Vernon Wells popped out to second.
Cleveland lost its eighth straight road game and for the 12th time in 15 games overall. Kluber allowed six runs — four earned — and seven hits in six innings.
NOTES: The Indians declined further comment on the police investigation into a package sent to RHP Chris Perez’s home in Cleveland. “I can’t say anything. I’ve talked to C.P.,” manager Terry Francona said. “We are still looking into getting more information. Other than that, being respectful to the situation, there’s nothing to say. That’s kind of what it is.” … New York’s Lyle Overbay made his third career start in right field but did not get a ball until the top of the fifth. Overbay has successfully made three putouts in his new position. … 3B Alex Rodriguez did tee and toss work before taking batting practice at the team’s minor league facility in Tampa. … Cleveland RHP Brett Myers (right elbow) has not resumed throwing since being shut down on May 22.and the team’s trainer is heading to Cleveland on Thursday to follow-up.