Yankees Are Wells Done in Game 1

The Yankees didn’t take long to even the score with Jaret Wright.

New York scored five runs in the first inning Tuesday night against their postseason nemesis from last October and went on to defeat the Cleveland Indians, 7-2, in the opening game of the American League championship series.

Yankee starter David Wells was as effective as Wright was ineffective, taking a shutout into the ninth inning before giving up a two-run home run to Cleveland’s Manny Ramirez.

Jeff Nelson replaced Wells and recorded the final two outs.

Wright had beaten New York twice during the playoffs last year as the Indians eliminated the Yankees in five games. The right-hander had further enraged New York this spring when he broke infielder Luis Sojo’s left hand with a high, inside pitch.

New York’s six singles in the first set an ALCS record, as did the five runs.