James Shields' day is complete after dealing a quality start.
Matt Albers enters in the 7th. pic.twitter.com/fApr9jEcMr
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 4, 2016
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
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.
HEADLEY!! ???
His two-run shot gives the #Yankees the lead in the 2nd! #LetsGoYankees
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 4, 2016
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.
James Shields' line: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. Shields threw 100 pitches, 58 strikes.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 4, 2016
Tim Anderson hit a two-run blast to deep center field off Sabathia to knot the game at two and Chicago never looked back.
Timmy, you're a firework.#SoxWin!https://t.co/PHmmNmjn5Y
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 4, 2016
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.
Another 2 runs score on a 2-run shot from Dioner Navarro!
Good Guys 5, New York (AL) 2 pic.twitter.com/vTYG4FTmfr
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 4, 2016
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.
.@blawrie13 drills an RBI single to make it a 6-2 ballgame in the 7th! pic.twitter.com/Jobl05LQHF
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 4, 2016
When Abreu dropped that single into left, Anderson knew it was time for him to fly. 7-2 White Sox #REO
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) July 4, 2016
Todd Frazier now 3-for-3 with two walks, two doubles.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 4, 2016
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.
FINAL: White Sox 8, #Yankees 2. pic.twitter.com/GkbyeWkTwO
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 4, 2016
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.
Sabathia's last 3 starts: 16 earned runs, 4 HRs in 17 1/3 IP. His previous 11 starts: 16 ERs, 2 HRs in 65 1/3 IP. ERA from 2.20 to 3.48.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 4, 2016
While the big left-hander’s comeback story is still commendable, the Yanks need to get him back on track.
CC with an 8.31 ERA over his last 3 starts (16 ER in 17.1 IP)
— Jeff Quagliata (@yestoresearch) July 4, 2016
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 first Yankee shortstop with 3 errors in a game since Rafael Santana 8/28/1988.
— Jeff Quagliata (@yestoresearch) July 4, 2016
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.