Kearns’ homer lifts Indians

Cleveland Indians' Austin Kearns watches his three-run home run off A.J. Burnett.

CLEVELAND — Austin Kearns hit his first homer in 105 at-bats this season, a stunning three-run shot in the seventh inning off New York’s A.J. Burnett, to send the Cleveland Indians to a 6-3 win and spoil All-Star Derek Jeter’s return to the Yankees’ lineup Monday night.

With two on and the Indians trailing 2-1, Kearns, who has been in a slump all season, hit a 1-0 pitch from Burnett (8-7) the opposite way to right for his first homer since Aug. 22, when he wore Yankee pinstripes. Kearns came up batting only .192 with two RBIs in a part-time role.

Josh Tomlin (10-4), who carried a no-hitter into the seventh, allowed two runs and three hits. The Indians’ right-hander also became the first pitcher since 1919 to go at least five innings in each of his first 29 career appearances.