Indians make early statement with 7-run 1st inning vs. Yankees

The Cleveland Indians brought some thunder to Yankee Stadium on Thursday.

During the top of the first inning between two of baseball's best teams, the Indians put seven runs on the scoreboard before the New York Yankees stepped to the plate.

Opener Chad Green started the game by allowing back-to-back singles to Francisco Lindor and Greg Allen before walking Carlos Santana to load the bases.

After Yasiel Puig struck out, Jose Ramirez punished a 98-mph heater from Green over the center-field fence for his first-career grand slam.

A Yankees' mound visit did nothing to calm down the shaky Green, who allowed a solo shot to the next hitter, Jason Kipnis, before being pulled in favor of Jonathan Loaisiga after allowing five earned runs on four hits while retiring only one hitter.

Loaisiga didn't fare much better against the hot-hitting Indians. He gave up a two-run homer to Roberto Perez before eventually getting out of the inning.

Cleveland came into Thursday with a 22-11 record since the All-Star break, while the Yankees entered the contest riding a five-game winning streak.