Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup and Andy Pettitte turned in his worst start in this young season, as the Yankees fell to the Indians, 6-4.

Pettitte allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, on 8 hits in 5 innings pitched, while striking out 3 and walking 3. Going into the fifth, he had held the Indians to 1 unearned run, but after retiring the first 2 hitters, it unraveled. This was thanks to back to back singles, followed by back to back homers. After the dust settled, the Indians held a 5-4 lead. Pettitte got the final out, but that would be all, as he was relieved at 99 pitches.

Paul Byrd was the Indians starter and he lasted 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 6 hits with 0 strikeouts, no walks and 3 homers allowed. All of the Yankees runs in this one came on those 3 home runs, 2 off the bat of Giambi and 1 from Matsui. The Yankees walked just once (Robinson Cano, of all batters) in this entire game, while the Indians walked 6 times.

Byrd was yanked after the Matsui homer with 2 outs in the sixth and relieved by Rafael Perez. The final 3 and 1/3 innings were ugly for Yankees fans. 0 hits and 1 walk was all that the offense could muster against the combo of Perez and Rafael Betancourt.

Meanwhile, Billy Traber allowed a run in a long sixth that featured two stolen bases and two walks. Jonathan Albaladejo looked good in the seventh and eighth innings, walking just one batter and failing to allow a hit. In 3 games and 7.2 innings so far this season, Albaladejo is sporting a 2.35 ERA.

Jason Giambi was the other big bright spot in this one. With the two homers, he was 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Of course, he also made an error. But, he was hitting .161 coming into this game. Last night, he went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and a double. So, in the last 2 games, he is 4 for 7 with a double, 4 runs and 3 RBIs. Could he be heating up? We can only hope.

A-Rod struggled in his return, going 0 for 4. Jeter was 0 for 4, as well. Damon, Abreu, Matsui and Posada each collected a hit. Cano continues his slump, now at .156 after an 0 for 2 day.

Tomorrow, Ian Kennedy (err... do I have to say this? Ok... 0-2, 9.64 ERA) will face Jeremy (I almost said Josh) Sowers, who will be making his 2008 debut.