Beltran hits grand slam, Rogers solid in Yankee win

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians dropped a chance to take control of a game against the New York Yankees early and never recovered.

First baseman Carlos Santana couldn't handle shortstop Jose Ramirez's throw with one out in the first, allowing Derek Jeter to start a five-run inning and lead New York to a 10-6 victory over the Indians on Friday night.

"I think we all understand the type of team we need to be to win, and not making teams earn every single thing they get does not put us in the best position to win," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

After Jeter's 3,430th hit that tied him with Honus Wagner for sixth on the career list, Trevor Bauer (4-7) walked three - including one with the bases loaded - in the first, wasting the Indians' 1-0 lead.

In all, Cleveland pitchers walked seven in their seventh straight loss in the Bronx and fourth defeat in a row overall.

Second baseman Jason Kipnis' error in the first led to another run and Ramirez added a run-scoring miscue in the sixth for the team with the major league's worst fielding percentage and 91 errors.

"It was a hard long inning but sometimes you feel so bad because you want to play good defense," Santana said. "I know it is a long day, a long inning but tomorrow is a new day, we are going to try to win."

Carlos Beltran hit a grand slam and drove in five runs and fill-in starter Esmil Rogers was sharp for five innings to help the Yankees win for the sixth time in seven games.

Beltran's 11th career slam highlighted a five-run sixth as the Yankees moved seven games above .500 (61-54) for the first time this season.

Picked up off waivers on July 31 after the Toronto Blue Jays cut him for the second time this season, Rogers (2-0) became the 12th player to make a start for New York.

Pitching in place of David Phelps (elbow inflammation), he allowed one run and four hits over five innings in his first start since Sept. 25 for Toronto and threw 88 pitches - 45 was his high this season coming in.

"I didn't have my confidence like I have right now," Rogers said of the difference between the way he is pitching now compared to earlier in the season.

The Yankees took advantage of three walks by Bauer in the first inning. Beltran, Stephen Drew and Martin Prado had RBI singles.

Bauer was charged with five runs and six hits in 3 1-3 innings.

John Axford walked the bases loaded - one intentional - before Beltran connected.

Yankees reliever Shawn Kelley walked in a run in Cleveland's four-run seventh. Carlos Santana had a two-run double in the inning.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: Center fielder Michael Brantley was given the start at designated hitter to "get him off his legs," Francona said. The All-Star was 1 for 7 in two losses at Cincinnati. ... Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall was out of the starting lineup because he looked fatigued, Francona said. Chisenhall is hitless in his last 13 at-bats.

Yankees: Catcher Brian McCann left in the sixth inning with a mild concussion. He was hit in the mask by a foul ball earlier in the game. He will be reevaluated Saturday before the Yankees learn if he goes on the 7-day concussion DL.

UP NEXT

Cleveland's Corey Kluber (12-6) will be pitching on four days' rest when he faces McCarthy (4-0) Saturday. The Yankees have not lost in any of McCarthy's five starts since arriving in a trade with Arizona in early July. New York will honor Paul O'Neill, a fan favorite on four World Series teams from 1996-2000, before the game.

EMPTY THE `PENS

The Indians and Yankees combined to use 11 relievers - six for Cleveland. The Yankees' Kelley and Cleveland's Axford were hit hardest. They both yielded four runs. Kelley got only one out while Axford retired two batters.

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