Misplayed fly fuels Yankees’ victory

CLEVELAND — Jacoby Ellsbury delivered a three-run triple and Aaron Judge hammered a three-run homer as the Yankees rolled to an 8-1 victory over the Indians on Sunday.

With the score tied 1-1 in the sixth, Indians right fielder Abraham Almonte seemed to track Ellsbury’s deep drive. But nearing the wall, Almonte, who returned fromthe minors Saturday, braced for impact well shy of the wall as the ball bounced off its base, allowingthree runs to score.

“You hope it goes over the wall,” Ellsbury said. “But I’ll take

triple any day, especially with three runners on. I’m happy it found some turf.” Almonte made no excuses. “It’s a ball that should have been caught,” he said. “Itwas not an easy fly ball, but it should have been caught.”

The Yankees bounced back fromtwosloppy losses to split the series with the defending AL champs. Luis Severino (9-4) gave up Michael Brantley’s homer in the first and then toyed with the Indians, striking out nine. He didn’t give up his second hit until there were two out in the seventh. The All-Star is 4-0 with a 0.71 ERA in his last four starts.

“He has continued to improve all year long,” manager Joe Girardi said. “I’m seeing him do things nowhe didn’t do early on.”

Judge’s homer was his 35th, but onlyNo. 5 since the break.

Catcher Gary Sanchez, who has had major defensive problems this season, sat for the second straight game. He leads the majors with 12 passed balls.

“The message came for us,” Girardi said. “‘Your defense needs to improve. You need to get better. You need towork at it.’ ”

Before the game, the Yankees placed slumping slugger Matt Holliday on the disabled list with a lower-back problem.