Wang's fifth consecutive win helps Yankees top Indians

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wang Chien-ming won his fifth consecutive game to pitch the New York Yankees to a 1-0 road victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

The Taiwanese right-hander (5-0), who is behind only Arizona's Brandon Webb (6-0) for most victories in the majors, held Cleveland to four hits over seven innings while striking out a season-high nine and walking two.

"He has been huge for us all year long," Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters. "He has pitched great. He knew what we needed and he gave it to us."

Wang said he mixed up his pitches better than a year ago when he lost at Cleveland in the American League Division Series.

"Last year, I only threw a lot of sinkers without changing a lot of speeds," he told reporters. "Today, I changed a lot of speeds."

Girardi said Wang's ability to mix his pitches had made him a more effective pitcher.

"He had a very good slider today, with his sinker as well," the Yankees manager said. "He mixed in some changeups and splits as well to the left-handers. I thought he had great depth on his slider, which kept the right-handers off balance."

Melky Cabrera gave the Yankees the only run they needed with a solo homer in the fifth inning off C.C. Sabathia (1-4).

"I've been lucky that I have five homers so far," Cabrera told reporters. "I'm just paying attention to that I'm in the lineup every day."