Cleveland @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2012 ) Cleveland 4, NY Yankees 6

The Cleveland Indians had their biggest offensive outburst in nearly a week on Tuesday night and still suffered a 6-4 loss to the red-hot New York Yankees. The Indians have been outscored 28-7 in losing four straight and will be hoping to avoid a sweep when they close out a three-game set at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. New York has won four in a row and 14 of 17 and seems to have everything clicking at the moment.

The Yankees got a home run and three RBIs in a spot start from Dewayne Wise on Monday and turned to backup catcher Chris Stewart for a pair of RBIs on Tuesday. That support has come in addition to strong performances from the likes of Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez. Cleveland has had no success against New York’s starters, scoring one run against Hiroki Kuroda on Monday and failing to push one across against Phil Hughes in eight innings on Tuesday. Only a three-run homer from Jose Lopez with two outs in the ninth avoid a fourth straight one-run effort.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), YES (New York), MLBN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (7-5, 4.59 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (3-3, 3.29 ERA)

Jimenez has found his form recently, allowing one or no runs in three of his last four turns. The 28-year-old beat Houston last time out, surrendering four hits and no runs in 6 2/3 innings while walking four and striking out eight. Jimenez has faced the Yankees once in his career, allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings to earn a win last season.

Pettitte allowed five runs in the first inning but settled down to not allow a run over the next five in a loss to the Mets last Friday. The veteran left-hander had a string of four straight quality starts broken up by that outing. Pettitte has made 20 career starts against Cleveland, going 8-8 with a 4.23 ERA, but none since May 31, 2010. Asdrubal Cabrera is 3-for-6 in his career against Pettitte.

WALK-OFFS:

1. The Yankees transferred OF Brett Gardner (elbow) to the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday. Gardner has had setbacks in his rehab but is expected back after the All-Star break.

2. Indians cleanup hitter Carlos Santana is 3-for-22 (.136) over the last seven games and has not homered since May 15.

3. New York C Russell Martin (back) has been held out of the last three games. He is day-to-day.