SONNY ECLIPSED IN LOSS TO INDIANS

CLEVELAND — Sonny Gray pitched well in his highly-anticipated Yankee debut, but was betrayed by his defense.

The Bombers committed three first-inning errors behind Gray, fell behind 2-0 and ultimately lost 5-1 to the Indians on Thursday night at Progressive Field. They have dropped four of their last five games.

Gray allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings. He walked three and struck out six, sitting around 93-94 mph and featuring a nasty breaking ball. The 27-year-old righty was acquired from the A’s in a blockbuster trade that sent prospects James Kaprielian, Jorge Mateo and Dustin Fowler to Oakland.

Asked about his expectations for Gray, who posted a 1.37 ERA over his previous six starts, going into the game, Joe Girardi responded: “Just to be Sonny Gray. He’s been a really good pitcher over the last 4-5 years. We’re not asking him to do more than what he’s done in Oakland. Just give us a shot to win like you always do.”

He did. It’s just that Corey Kluber was better. Cleveland’s All-Star righty threw a dominant complete game. He allowed just one run on three hits, walked one and struck out 11. The man they call “Klubot” has struck out eight or more in his last 12 starts.

Gary Sanchez snapped a 16-inning scoreless streak for the Yankees with a 427-foot solo shot off Kluber with one out in the seventh. It was Sanchez’s 17th homer of the year.

Struggling sluggers Aaron Judge and Matt Holliday got the night off. Both are expected back in the lineup on Friday.

AP Sonny Gray fares well against Indians Thursday, allowing four runs (two earned) in six frames, but shoddy first-inning defense clouds his debut as Yankees make three costly errors from which they never recover in 5-1 loss.