KANSAS CITY, Mo. - C.C. Sabathia is ready to get a fresh look at the New York Yankees.
Sabathia survived line drives off each wrist - both hit by Mark Grudzielanek - and earned his 100th career victory, pitching the Cleveland Indians past Kansas City 5-3 last night to wrap up home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs.
The Indians claimed their 95th victory, tying them with the Boston Red Sox for the most wins in the American League. The Red Sox, however, hold the tiebreaker by taking five of seven from Cleveland.
The AL Central champions will open the playoffs at home against the Yankees, while the Red Sox start at home against the Los Angeles Angels.
"I haven't faced them since '04," Sabathia said. "I don't remember the last time I faced them. I'll have to look at some tape and see. Their hitters are probably a little different, and I'm a little different since 2004.
"I'm just looking forward to playing in the postseason and give us a chance to go out and try to win a ring. Bring them on. We're excited."
The Yankees went 6-0 against the Indians during the regular season.
"In regard to who we're going to play, I haven't put any thought or time into it just yet," manager Eric Wedge said. "It looks like we're going to be at home. That was one of the goals we were shooting for."
Sabathia (19-7) won his 100th game at the age of 27 years, 100 days, the youngest pitcher since Greg Maddux in 1993 to reach the mark. Sabathia is 5-0 in his past six starts. He held the Royals to three runs and eight hits in seven innings.
"It's a big accomplishment, but I feel like I've got more left to do," Sabathia said.
Grudzielanek nicked Sabathia in the right wrist in the third inning. The Indians got a scare in the fifth when Grudzielanek's line drive struck the lefty in his pitching arm. Wedge and trainer Lonnie Soloff rushed to the mound, but Sabathia remained in the game.
"It wasn't like swollen or a big knot," Sabathia said. "It hit me in the left wrist. I felt good in my warmup pitches, so there wasn't any doubt I was going to stay in the game. It was no problem. It didn't have any effect on any of pitches I threw. He got me twice."
Joe Borowski worked the ninth for his 44th save.
The Indians jumped out to a 3-0 lead off Kyle Davies (3-7).
Asdrubal Cabrera walked in the first before Travis Hafner hit his 24th home run, and Kenny Lofton hit an RBI triple in the second. Hafner has five home runs in his past 22 games and 23 RBIs in his past 25.
"You want to be swinging the bat well going into the playoffs," he said. "The big thing for me is consistency, and I feel I've had consistent at-bats in September."
This will be Lofton's 11th trip to the playoffs, but he has never won a World Series.
"You say playoffs and my eyes light up. I have another chance to do what I can do," Lofton said.
First Published September 29, 2007, 8:48 a.m.
