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(Sports Network) - Ian Kennedy tries to hold onto his spot in the rotation this afternoon when the New York Yankees play the second test of their four- game series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Kennedy has been atrocious for the Yankees this season, going 0-2, while pitching to a miserable 9.64 earned run average. He has also lasted past the third inning just once in his four starts.

The 22-year-old right-hander's latest setback came last Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, who ripped him for four runs and five hits over just 2 2/3 innings. Kennedy, who has never faced Cleveland, also walked five in the losing effort and has issued 13 walks in 14 innings this season..

Cleveland will counter with 24-year-old left-hander Jeremy Sowers, who will be making his season debut with the Tribe. Sowers made 13 starts for the Indians last season, but was just 1-6 with a 6.42 ERA. He had gone 7-4 in 14 starts with Cleveland in 2006.

Sowers has started two games against the Yankees and is 1-1 against them with a 7.45 ERA.

After a dreadful start to the season, Cleveland moved within a game of .500 in the opener of this set on Friday, as Jhonny Peralta went 2-for-4 with a three- run homer and finished with four runs batted in, leading the Indians to a 6-4 victory.

The game was New York's first time back in Cleveland since Game 2 of last year's ALDS when a swarm of Lake Erie bugs helped derail its playoff run.

Jamey Carroll ended 2-for-5 with a run scored and one driven in for Cleveland, which has rattled off four wins in a row. Franklin Gutierrez accounted for the other run with a solo home run.

Paul Byrd (1-2) was given the win as he hurled 5 2/3 innings, yielding four runs on six hits. Rafael Betancourt earned his second save of the season by tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

Jason Giambi hit two home runs, good for three RBI, for the Yankees, who have dropped their last two contests. Hideki Matsui also had a solo homer.

Andy Pettitte (3-2) was dealt the loss after he was roughed up for five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits in five frames on the hill. The Yankees depleted bullpen was solid, surrendering only a run and a hit in three innings of work.

The reigning American League MVP, Alex Rodriguez, was in New York's lineup for the first time since last Sunday, when he strained his quadriceps in Baltimore. He went 0-for-4 and left one runner stranded.

New York swept the regular season series from Cleveland last year, winning all six matchups. The Yankees have also won eight of nine overall in the series and five of six in Cleveland.