Cy Young winner Sabathia gives up 9 runs, Indians fall to Athletics

Oakland Athletics' Chris Denorfia hits a one-run single off Cleveland Indians' C.C. Sabathia in the second inning in a baseball game, Friday, April 11, 2008, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

CLEVELAND—Reigning American League Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia gave up nine runs and 12 hits in his shortest outing in nearly two years, and the Oakland Athletics held on to beat the Cleveland Indians 9-7 on Friday night.

Sabathia (0-2) was pulled after 3 1-3 innings, but by then Mark Ellis, Mike Sweeney and Donnie Murphy had all driven in two runs apiece. It was Sabathia's shortest start since yielding nine runs in 2 1-3 innings to the Chicago Cubs on June 21, 2006.

Joe Blanton (1-2) allowed eight hits and five runs over 7 2-3 innings to win for the first time in six starts since last Sept. 15. The right-hander walked one, struck out one and was helped by two double plays. Huston Street worked 1 1-3 innings for his third save.