Yankees stay alive as Red Sox sweep Angels to advance

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees avoided elimination from the playoffs with an 8-4 home victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, while AL East rivals the Boston Red Sox eased past the Los Angeles Angels with a three-game sweep.

Johnny Damon belted a three-run homer as New York roared back from two straight losses in Cleveland to pull back to 2-1 in the best-of-five divisional series and help ease the pressure on veteran manager Joe Torre.

In an interview published earlier in the day, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said Torre would not return next season if New York were eliminated.

"We know our backs are up against the wall," Damon told reporters.

"There's a lot on the line. We're playing for the manager we love."

Game Four is in New York on Monday.

Damon's three-run homer capped a four-run fifth inning that gave the Yankees a 5-3 lead.

"Johnny is such a good pressure guy. He has a very clear mind, he has a plan," Torre said, describing how Damon looked for a pitch to drive after Cleveland starter Jake Westbrook fell behind him 2-0 in the count with two men on base.

"He's been huge."

Damon finished the game with three hits and four runs batted in as the New York offense finally awoke.

The Yankees, who had hit .121 in the series coming into the game, erupted for 11 hits to support winning pitcher Phil Hughes, who took over from starter Roger Clemens.

Clemens left in the third inning with a strained hamstring after giving up three runs.

The rookie Hughes pitched three and two-thirds innings, giving up two hits and striking out four.

"He was huge for them," Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

"He had a live fastball, a tough breaking ball and started mixing a change-up in. The kid showed a lot of poise."

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