THE BRONX, N.Y. — Gerrit Cole stumbled when the New York Yankees needed an ace-like outing, allowing seven runs over 5 2/3 innings in a costly 11-1 defeat to the Cleveland Indians.
New York (83-67) dropped 1 1/2 games behind Toronto for the second AL wild card and 2 1/2 games back of wild card leader Boston with 12 games left. Harold Ramirez hit a pair of two-run singles and drove in a career-high four runs to pace the Tribe (73-74) before leaving with a right shoulder injury.
José Ramírez hit his 35th home run and Roberto Pérez added his seventh, helping Cleveland win back-to-back games over the Yanks by a combined score of 22-4 after dropping Friday's contest 8-0. On the mound, rookie Eli Morgan went six strong innings to earn his third victory.
The Indians will begin their final homestand Monday afternoon with a traditional doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. Triston McKenzie (5-6, 4.28 ERA) will start the first game against Brady Singer (4-10, 4.85), while the second game's pitchers have not yet been announced.
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