Rookie right-hander Luis Severino (W, 1-2, 2.74 ERA) earned his first career victory on the same day former New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada got his jersey number retired and his plaque placed in Monument Park. New York took down the Cleveland Indians 6-2 this afternoon, in large part because of the the youngster Severino.

Prior to the game, the Yankees retired Jorge Posada’s number 20, and gave him a plaque in Monument Park. The Yankees brought out the Core Four, which consists of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and of course Posada. Former players such as Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams, Hideki Matsui and Scott Brosius. They also brought out Gene Michael, the former Yankees GM that signed Posada as a youngster out of Puerto Rico; as well as former Yankees trainer Gene Monahan. Posada's former manager Joe Torre was also there to celebrate one of the great Yankee catchers.

For the entire game there was periodical “Hip Hip Jorge” chants from the fans. In Posada’s speech he thanked the fans and all the people that made the day possible, he also in a very classy moment asked for prayers for Mike Aviles’ daughter who is battling cancer. All the Yankees were standing on the first step of the dugout watching the ceremony prior to the game. After the ceremony Jorge Posada threw out the first pitch to his son, Jorge Jr. The pitch went approximately seven feet above Jr’s head and he had to back pedal a little bit.  

The Indians got on the board first when the second batter of the game Francisco Lindor took Severino deep to right field on a day when the wind was blowing out, especially in the first few innings.

In the bottom of the first inning Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a single, followed by a two-run homer by Brett Gardner, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead. The ball Gardner hit was around the same part Lindor smacked his. 

The Yankees would not relinquish this lead for the rest of the game. Two batters later, Brian McCann took Indians starter Danny Salazar (L, 11-7, 3.30 ERA) deep to extend the Yankees lead to 3-1.

Severino would settle down in the second, striking out two batters and forcing a groundout. Severino finished his outing going six innings allowing one run on three hits, while walking four and striking out six.

The Yankees would break through again in the bottom of the second inning when Jacoby Ellsbury scored on a fielders choice after Salazar threw the ball into center field trying to start the double play, the play scored Stephen Drew to make it 4-1. Two batters later Carlos Beltran hit a sac-fly to left to score John Ryan Murphy to make it 5-1. The offense would shut down after that.

Danny Salazar only lasted 4.2 innings where he allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits. He didn't walk a batter but he did strike out six.

The Indians would get one back in the eighth off Dellin Betances, as Lonnie Chisenhall singled home Francisco Lindor to make it 5-2. In the bottom of that inning the Yankees would get it right back when John Ryan Murphy hit a sac-fly to right, scoring Didi Gregorious. On the same play, Stephen Drew advanced to second on a throwing error by Chisenhall. The very next at-bat, Ellsbury singled to center and Drew would be gunned out by a mile at home plate as he tried to score from second base.

In the top of the third inning Michael Brantley grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Lindor out at second. Many fans were chanting for Joe Girardi to review the call at first, but he did not after checking with his video people. Indians manager Terry Francona came out to argue the call at second and was thrown out after arguing for a few minutes.

The Yankees and Indians get back at it tomorrow for another afternoon showcase at 1:05 P.M. EST. The Yankees will honor Andy Pettitte tomorrow at the stadium by retiring his number and putting a plaque in Monument Park just like Posada today. The starting pitcher for the Yankees is C.C. Sabathia, who will face Indians starter Trevor Bauer.