Cleveland Indians: Yankees Turn Close Game into Rout

5 - 31 - 10     at New York Yankees     L, 11 - 2     18 - 31

     Entering the seventh inning on Memorial Day, it appeared as if the Indians might win their second game of the series as they only trailed by one run.  However, the Tribe's bullpen allowed nine more tallies and the game was quickly turned into a laugher.
     A two - out RBI single off the bat of Alex Rodriguez in the first gave the Yanks an early advantage, but it did not last long.  Jhonny Peralta launched a solo home run to right - center field in the second that tied the game at one.
     Cleveland's rookie sensation, Mitch Talbot, got himself into some trouble in the fourth when he allowed a lead - off double by Nick Swisher.  Talbot nearly worked out of the situation, but with two down, Brett Gardner delivered a run - scoring single that gave New York the advantage for good.
     The game remained at 2 - 1 until that fateful seventh frame.  Mitch left the contest after surrendering a pair of  one - out singles to Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson.  Rafael Perez walked Mark Teixeira which brought Rodriguez to the plate with the bases loaded.  Manny Acta decided to get a righty - righty matchup by bringing on Chris Perez to pitch to A - Rod.  That did not matter, though, as the Yankee slugger belted a grand slam to center.  The Yanks would go on to add two more runs that inning and three more in the eighth, but after Rodriguez's blast, the game was never in doubt.
     Showing tremendous character in the ninth, the Tribe put together a mini - rally that plated one run.  With two outs, Travis Hafner kept slim hope alive by drawing a walk, and Peralta did the same by singling.  Shelley Duncan then hit a RBI single to center before Matt LaPorta struck out to end the ballgame.
     The winning pitcher was Andy Pettite while Talbot took the loss.