CLEVELAND (AP) — Chad Green was stellar in his last start for the New York Yankees against San Diego.
The same couldn't be said of the rookie on Friday night in Cleveland.
After allowing one run in six innings against the Padres to earn first career win, Green (1-2) gave up seven runs and four homers in just 4 1/3 innings as the Yankees fell 10-2 to the Indians.
Manager Joe Girardi didn't think Green had his best command on Friday, but is looking forward to seeing how the rookie responds to the rough outing.
"It's tough, but to be successful in this game, you're going to go through some adversity and you got to be able to fight through it," Girardi said. "I thought he did a pretty good job fighting through it."
Green served up back-to-back home runs to Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis to start the game, before allowing a two-run homer to Lonnie Chisenhall later in the first inning.
Two innings later, Mike Napoli launched a two-run, 462-foot homer to give Cleveland a 6-0 lead, effectively sealing Green's fate.
Though Green was beaten up in his just his third major league start, his confidence remains high.
"When I got ahead of them, I was fine," Green said. "I made four mistakes all game, but those four mistakes cost me seven runs."
Brian McCann accounted for both of New York's runs, hitting a solo homer in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth.
Richard Belier relieved Green in the fifth and immediately allowed a long RBI double to Francisco Lindor and an RBI single to Napoli. The left-hander allowed two runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Kipnis added his second solo homer of the night in the seventh off Anthony Swarzak, accounting for a season-high five homers for the Indians.
The Yankees struggled almost as much on offense as they did on the mound, as All-Star Corey Kluber (9-8) allowed just one run, five hits and struck out eight in eight innings.
"Man, he's good," New York first baseman Mark Teixeira said. "He's a Cy Young for a reason, He's an All-Star for a reason, just carving us up."
Teixeira was removed from Friday's game in the sixth inning with right knee soreness, which he's dealt with since suffering an articular cartilage tear on June 3.
Girardi said the move was precautionary and wouldn't have happened if the Yankees were involved in a closer ballgame.
"It's something that we have to watch," Girardi said. "We were down 8-0, so I figured I'd get him out, maybe give him a day off tomorrow and then have him on Sunday again."
Though Kluber dominated most of the Yankees lineup, Didi Gregorius continued his recent tear, finishing 2 for 3 with a single and a double. The shortstop is 11 for 28 (.393) on New York's 10-game road trip and is hitting .300 this season.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: OF Michael Brantley (sore right shoulder) took batting practice for the second straight day and could begin a minor league rehab assignment during the All-Star break.
UP NEXT
Yankees: LHP CC Sabathia, who faces the Indians on Saturday, has struggled in his last three starts, allowing 17 runs, including four homers, in 17 1/3 innings. He's 5-6 with a 3.48 ERA in 14 starts.
Indians: RHP Danny Salazar, an AL All-Star, makes his final start before the break Saturday. His 2.36 ERA is the best in the league and fourth lowest in the majors. Salazar is 10-3 in 15 starts.
