July 8, 2003

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Billy Traber was fast, focused and nearly flawless.

Traber pitched a one-hitter for his first complete game Tuesday night, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 4-0 victory over the New York Yankees, who didn't start injured infielders Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano.

Traber (4-5), whose only previous link to New York was as a Mets' prospect, dominated a depleted Yankees lineup that struggled with the left-hander's offspeed pitches and unorthodox delivery.

"It was Greg Maddux-like," Yankees manager Joe Torre said of Traber needing just 2 hours, 11 minutes to shut out New York. "He didn't throw hard, but you don't have to when you throw strikes. When somebody throws soft, it frustrates you. But you certainly admire and respect it."

For the complete "Traber throws 'Maddux-like' complete game" story click here.

For the alternate "Rookie does number on Yanks" story click here.

Traber led LMU to three consecutive West Coast Conference Championships en route to being named second-team All-America by Collegiate Baseball following his junior year. He was the 16th overall pick in the 2000 draft by the Mets before being traded to Cleveland.