Indians fall to Yankees in 10th inning

Hicks’ RBI double prevents sweep

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The bullpen broke down, Didi Gregorius misplayed an easy grounder and another player went on the injured list.

The New York Yankees keep taking hits — and keep hitting back.

Aaron Hicks delivered an RBI double with two outs in the 10th inning as the Yankees overcame stunning errors in the ninth by stars Aroldis Chapman and Gregorius and avoided a sweep with a 7-6 win over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

Hicks’ shot to the wall in left-center off Oliver Perez (1-1) scored Cameron Maybin, who had doubled with one out.

New York blew a 5-0 lead in the sixth and a 6-5 advantage in the ninth, when Chapman and Gregorius made miscues.

Chapman (1-1) got the win despite his shaky performance, and Stephen Tarpley, recalled earlier when the Yankees placed Domingo German on the injured list, struck out the side in the 10th for his first major league save.

Tarpley was the seventh reliever used by manager Aaron Boone, who had to rely on his bullpen after scheduled starter Masahiro Tanaka was placed on paternity leave.

Brett Gardner hit a two-run homer for New York.

Mike Freeman connected for a two-run homer and Jake Bauers and Leonys Martin had solo shots for the Indians, who went 4-2 this week against AL Central-leading Minnesota and the powerful Yankees but didn’t gain ground on the Twins.

“We’ll win that game sometimes,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “We had a runner on third base. That was a heck of a game. There was a lot going on.”

Adam Ottavino, who gave up a tying homer to Bauers in the seventh, said New York’s relievers are OK.

Down to their last out, the Indians tied it 6-6.

Jose Ramirez singled and went to second on Chapman’s wild pickoff. With two outs and two on, Gregorius, who entered as a defensive replacement in the ninth, tried to backhand Francisco Lindor’s grounder, but the usually sure-handed shortstop allowed the ball to hit off his glove. By the time he retrieved it, Ramirez scored and pinch-runner Tyler Naquin hustled to third. Gregorius returned Friday after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco will visit an oncologist today at the Cleveland Clinic. The 32-year-old was recently diagnosed with a blood condition and placed on the injured list.

UP NEXT

Indians: Following a day off, RHP Trevor Bauer (4-6, 3.93 ERA) will start Tuesday against Cincinnati. He carries a career-long, five-game losing streak into the outing.