INDIANS Moose gets Yanks back on track

Mike Mussina allowed three runs in six innings as New York won 11-3.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- They didn't become the New York Yankees because of epic, embarrassing losses.
So one day after suffering one of the most lopsided defeats in their famed existence, the Yankees returned to their winning ways.
Rookie Melky Cabrera's first career grand slam highlighted an eight-run fourth inning, helping New York bounce back from an historic loss with an easy win, 11-3 over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.
On the Fourth of July, which also happens to be Yankees owner George Steinbrenner's birthday, New York was pummeled 19-1 by Cleveland, matching the second-worst defeat in the club's unmatched history.
On Wednesday, the Yankees looked much more like themselves.
"It's a nice way to come back after what happened to us," starter Mike Mussina said.
Strong outing
Along with matching their highest-scoring inning this season off Paul Byrd (6-6), the Yankees stole six bases and Mussina (10-3) showed no ill effects from a slight groin pull.
Mussina allowed three runs and five hits in six sharp innings. The right-hander is the only pitcher in AL history to win at least 10 games in 15 consecutive seasons.
"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."
However, New York's 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 were being overly cautious, but with two star outfielders -- Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui -- as well as second baseman Robinson Cano already on the DL, they aren't taking any chances with Damon.
New York's leadoff hitter first felt a pain during pregame 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 Thursday's series finale. "I'm a quick healer so I think it will be OK."
Damon pulled up his shirt to show the area on his stomach where he's hurt.
"At first I thought it could be a small, little hernia," he said. "I'll try to be back as soon as I can."
Up and down
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, including two in the fourth to help the Yankees.
"I probably won't fall right to sleep tonight," Boone said. "You always hear if you play long enough you're going to have a day like that. I had that day. It's not a lot of fun."
Jorge Posada hit a one-out single and went to third on Bernie Williams' double. Andy Phillips hit a routine grounder to Boone, who fumbled it away and was late with a throw to first, loading the bases.
"Jorge threw me off. We were conceding the run, but when he didn't go, I got aggressive on the ball instead of playing it like I normally do," Boone said. "It's a play I need to make and it put Paul in a tough spot."
Cabrera, who went homerless in 130 at-bats to start his career before connecting against Cleveland on June 15, followed by hitting a 1-0 pitch over the wall in right to make it 5-1.
Boone didn't make it any easier on Byrd by butchering Miguel Cairo's grounder and Bubba Crosby followed with an RBI single. Derek Jeter singled, and one out later, Alex Rodriguez hit an RBI single.
Jeter and Rodriguez then pulled off a double steal before scoring on Posada's two-run double, giving New York a 9-1 lead and chasing Byrd.
The right-hander allowed nine runs -- four earned -- and 10 hits in 32/3 innings, his shortest outing since lasting only three innings on April 22 at Kansas City.
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