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Sabathia Struggles, Yankees Drop Series Opener In Chicago (Highlights)

In some July 4th baseball action in Chicago, the New York Yankees were handled by the White Sox in the first game of a three-game set.

  • New York Yankees: 2 (40-42)
  • Chicago White Sox: 8 (43-40)
  • American League, FINAL, Box Score
  • U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL
After a potentially uplifting win in the series finale in San Diego, the New York Yankees could not carry the success into the Windy City. Despite striking out nine, CC Sabathia surrendered two detrimental home runs as he allowed five earned runs in his third consecutive shaky start.

The Yankees got on the board first when Chase Headley launched a second inning two-run shot, but that was all they would be able to muster.

A struggling James Shields made sure that was all New York would get across, allowing five hits and two earned runs in six solid frames. The 34-year-old was backed by a White Sox offense that went to work starting in the third.

Tim Anderson hit a two-run blast to deep center field off Sabathia to knot the game at two and Chicago never looked back.

After Brett Lawrie drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth with a sacrifice fly, Dioner Navarro stepped up and knocked a two-run dinger to left to make it a 5-2 ballgame.

Lawrie stepped back up in the seventh and smacked an RBI single to extend the lead to four, and Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier each drove in runs in the eighth off a subpar Luis Cessa to put the game out of reach.

The Yankee offense was a brutal 0-13 with runners in scoring position in the dismal loss, which dropped them to 1-3 on this pivotal 10 game road trip that will lead them into the all-star break. In addition, the poor showing moved them back to two games below the .500 mark.

CC Skidding

After an absolutely brilliant seven start stretch in which CC Sabathia pitched to a tremendous 0.82 ERA, he has come back down to earth of late.

The 35-year-old has now surrendered five or more runs in three straight outings, and his two home runs allowed today matched the total number of long balls he gave up in his first 11 appearances.

While the big left-hander’s comeback story is still commendable, the Yanks need to get him back on track.

E6

Didi Gregorius is known for his great range and brilliant arm at the shortstop position. However, today was not the day he would want people to watch him perform his craft.

A fielding error in the third, an airmailed throw in the fourth, and another fielding error in the eighth highlighted the day for the 26-year-old, who also went 0-4 at the plate.

Didi has been magnificent for the Yankees, hitting at a .327 clip over his last 30 games while playing a consistent shortstop. Well, perhaps everyone has bad days.

What’s Next?

The Yankees and White Sox will face off in the middle game of this three-game set tomorrow night.

Masahiro Tanaka (5-2, 3.35 ERA) will get the ball for New York opposing 23-year-old left-hander Carlos Rodon (2-6, 4.24 ERA).

First pitch will commence at 8:10 pm ET from U.S. Cellular Field. The game can be seen on YES and heard on WFAN 660/101.9 FM. Stay tuned to ESNY for an in-depth pregame with all you need to know ahead of the matchup.

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