Indians Ride Rookie For Win Over Yankees

Can someone please check this kid’s birth certificate?

Jaret Wright, showing amazing composure for a 21-year-old rookie, survived a rough first inning and the Cleveland Indians overcame an early three-run deficit Thursday night for a 7-5 victory over the New York Yankees to even their A.L. playoff series at one game apiece.

Wright, the son of former major league pitcher Clyde Wright, walked the bases loaded in the first inning when the Yankees took a 3-0 lead. But the right-hander, who said the day before his start he would be nervous taking the mound in Yankee Stadium, limited New York to three hits in six innings and allowed only one runner past first base after the opening inning.

“How did I do it?” Wright said, repeating a reporter’s question. “I basically threw up a wall and just concentrated on pitching out there.”

Following a day off Friday, the best-of-5 series will resume with Game 3 Saturday at Jacobs Field, where the Yankees are 15-5. David Wells will start for New York against Charles Nagy, who was 0-2 with an 18.00 ERA in three starts against the Yankees this season.

A more pressing concern for New York could be Game 1 starter David Cone. Cone, who is scheduled to start Game 4, was taken for an MRI after “experiencing discomfort” in his right shoulder during his workout Thursday. Cone was back in the clubhouse after the game and said his status is day-to-day.

Matt Williams hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning off Andy Pettitte (0-1), who was tagged for seven runs and nine hits over five innings - almost identical numbers to his only other start against Cleveland this season.

Indians 7, Yankees 5

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T-3:32. A-57,360 (57,545).