(Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH -- Adam Plutko made one mistake in his six innings of work, which came in the first inning on a Didi Gregorius two-run homer to right field. Roberto Perez had a go-ahead home run called back upon further review, and settled for an RBI double to tie the game up at two. Indians' rookie Oscar Mercado jumped on C.C. Sabathia in a 2-2 count, launching a home run to right center field to put the Indians on top by the score of 4-2. The tribe never looked back after taking the lead, cruising to a 8-4 victory to clinch the three-game series.
Roberto Perez was called upon to fill the DH spot in the order today, and he delivered in a big way. After having a two-run home run called back in the fourth inning, Perez followed up with a no-doubt two-run blast to the home run porch in left field. Kevin Plawecki launched a solo homer to the same spot on the home run porch the next at-bat, driving in one of his two RBI on the day.
Adam Plutko become unhittable after giving up an early two-run shot to Didi Gregorius. Plutko pitched 6 full innings giving up two earned runs on three hits, striking out four batters with zero walks. The tribe bullpen combined for three innings of work, giving up two earned runs. Despite a four run lead, tribe manager Terry Francona looked to Brad Hand to shut the door on the Yankees in the ninth, and that is exactly what he did. Hand gave up one lone hit to Clint Frazier, and struck out one batter in a near-perfect ninth inning.
Former Indians ace and future Hall of Famer C.C. Sabathia pitched his final game in Cleveland, as his farewell tour continues. Sabathia pitched five full innings, giving up four earned runs on seven hits, striking out five batters and only giving up one walk.
The Cleveland Indians will look to sweep the New York Yankees at home for the first time since the 1970 season. The tribe will pitch Shane Bieber, who has been the Indians' most consistent pitcher of late. The Yankees will give the ball to right hander Chad Green. First pitch is set for 1:10 PM ET at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.