A-Rod homers as Yankees win again

New York is 21-8 since July 12

CLEVELAND -- Thrown into the middle of a heated playoff chase, the 21-year-olds pitched like they belonged.

The New York Yankees might not be aging so fast after all.

Phil Hughes dominated Cleveland for six innings and reliever Joba Chamberlain overwhelmed hitters with a searing fastball as the Yankees began a challenging stretch with a 6-1 win over the Indians on Friday night.

In just his fourth major league start, Hughes (2-1) allowed one run and four hits. It was the right-hander's second start since spending three months on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.

He was followed by Chamberlain, a rocket-throwing righty who began the season at Class A but has sped through New York's minor league system and is now being counted on by the Yankees for the stretch run.

Chamberlain struck out four in two perfect innings, giving him six strikeouts in four scoreless innings since being called up Tuesday.

"It doesn't seem like they are fazed by too much, and rightfully so, they've got great stuff. Joba throws a 100 mph off-speed pitch," " Yankees captain Derek Jeter said facetiously. "That can't be too much fun."

Alex Rodriguez hit career home run No. 501 in the second inning off Fausto Carmona (13-7), setting the tone for the Yankees, who have been beating up on some of the American League's weaker teams lately.

Before coming to Central-leading Cleveland, New York had played 28 straight games against teams that had losing records at the All-Star break. The Yankees improved to 21-8 since July 12 and moved one percentage point behind Seattle for the wild-card lead.

Jeter had three hits and Bobby Abreu drove in a pair of runs for New York. The Yankees were managed by bench coach Don Mattingly, who filled in while Joe Torre served a one-game suspension.

Hughes and Chamberlain have made a quick impression on their teammates, who have marveled at the pair's confidence.

"It's exciting to see two young guys come up and throw strikes," Andy Pettitte said. "You like their stuff, but you like their make up, too. We're going to need them now more than ever."

Josh Barfield homered for the Indians, whose players all wore uniform No. 14, a tribute to late Hall of Famer Larry Doby, the first black player in the AL.