Jeter edges closer to 3,000 hits as Yanks win

New York’s Derek Jeter moved closer to the 3,000 hits milestone on Tuesday while pitcher CC Sabathia was in commanding form as the Yankees scored a 9-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Sabathia (12-4) sparkled in seven scoreless innings, striking out 11 to earn his fifth consecutive win. It was the Major League-leading 12th win of the season for the big left-hander, who was surprisingly snubbed for next week’s All Star game. “I believe CC is an All Star, he’s had a great first half,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters. “It’s a tough situation when you’re having to pick players from every team. I’ve been in that situation.” Jeter, who is working his way back into the lineup in his second game since being sidelined with a calf injury on June 13, recorded two hits to move four shy of 3,000. “I’m well aware of how many (hits I have),” Jeter said, because I’ve been sitting on six for three weeks. “I felt better today. It’s always good when you get that first (hit) out of the way.” New York’s captain hit a two-run double in the second inning where Curtis Granderson also smacked a two-run home run to give the Yankees (51-33) a 5-0 lead. Granderson went 3-for-6 and added a second homer in the fourth inning, his 25th of the season. New York built a 9-0 lead before reliever Lance Pendleton allowed two Cleveland (45-39) runs in the bottom of the ninth. Indians starter Carlos Carrasco (8-5) lasted just four innings and allowed six runs. Both the Yankees and Indians maintained a 1-1/2-game lead in their respective divisions. Elsewhere: Boston pitcher Jon Lester’s promising start against the Toronto Blue Jays ended abruptly on Tuesday when the left-hander was forced to leave the game early due to a strained muscle on the left side of his back. The left-hander tossed four hitless innings before succumbing to the injury as the Red Sox held on for a 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays. Lester struck out five batters and allowed just one base-runner on a walk but was unable to pitch enough innings (five) to pick up a win and improve on his 10-4 record. “I thought I threw the ball pretty well, it’s a shame I had to waste it tonight,” the 27-year-old told reporters. Without Lester, Boston used four relievers to scratch out the win, the game ending with outfielder Darnell McDonald throwing out Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion at home plate.