Reds defeat Yankees 5-2

Nothing in CC Sabathia's previous six innings yesterday indicated something like the top of the seventh was coming.

Sabathia took the mound cruising along with a shutout, buoyed by the surging Raul Ibanez's ninth home run of the season that provided him with a two-run lead.

Some 36 pitches later -- far too many of them balls -- Sabathia walked off the mound having surrendered three runs that led to a 5-2 loss to the Reds in front of 45,622 fans.

The Reds took two of three from the Yankees, who next face Kansas City; their first West Coast trip starts Friday in Oakland.

Sabathia, who allowed three runs, six hits and a season-high five walks, entered the seventh inning having thrown 85 pitches and in total control before inexplicably losing it. In the inning, he allowed two home runs and walked three straight hitters, the last of which forced in the go-ahead run. His five walks were the most the 31-year-old ace has issued since April 2010.

The Yankees went 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position against stingy Johnny Cueto, their only damage coming when Ibanez struck in the sixth. Of Ibanez's last 11 hits, six have been homers.

Boone Logan allowed two runs in the ninth to give the Reds a 5-2 lead, and Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless ninth that included a pinch-hit appearance by Mark Teixeira, who didn't start a third straight game and reached on an error.

Erik Boland is a

Newsday staff writer.