Yankees Game 45: Yankees get extra inning win to split series

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New York Yankees 4 -- Chicago Cubs 2 (13 innings)

It took 13 innings and a bad pitch by a former Yankee but the Yankees split the two-game series in Wrigley.

In the unexpected pitcher's duel, the Yankees' Chase Whitley battled with Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija. Through the first three innings, Whitley matched zeroes with Samardzija but his innings were not as smooth. In the fourth inning, the Cubs stringed together three consecutive singles with one out to load the bases. Third baseman Mike Olt would give the Cubs the lead with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Whitley would get into more trouble in the fifth inning when center fielder Emilio Bonifacio opened the inning with a triple. After a pop out in foul territory, Whitley's day was over and Dellin Betances took over.

Over 4.1 innings, Chase Whitley allowed one run on six hits while walking one and striking out three. He threw 71 pitches and has an ERA of exactly 1.00.

After getting a strike out and a fly out to take care of the inherited runners; Betances would strike out two of the next three batters he faced to continue his outstanding season.

In the seventh inning, Adam Warren would take over and after getting the first out, gave up a pinch-hit triple to Ryan Kalish. Bonifacio would strike again, this time with a squeeze play that would bring home the second run of the game without getting a hit.

Over seven innings, Jeff Samardzija allowed no runs while striking out three and walking four. He allowed four hits but lowered his ERA to 1.46. The often talked about trade candidate entered today's game winless but seven scoreless should be enough for the win, right?

Wrong.

In the ninth inning, Darwin Barney came in for his defensive abilities at second base for closer Hector Rondon to get the save with a two-run lead. A pair of singles around a walk loaded the bases for Ichiro Suzuki. The Yankees right fielder would hit a ground ball to shortstop Starlin Castro who threw to Darwin Barney to begin the double play but Barney would commit a throwing error that allowed the two game-tying runs to score.

Poor Samardzija.

The relievers on both sides would lock down the game until the 13th inning. For the 13th inning, former Yankee reliever Jose Veras pitched for the Cubs. Brendan Ryan would start the inning with a sharp single off the glove of third baseman Luis Valbuena. Yangervis Solarte would walk and reliever, yes reliever, Preston Claiborne would successfully bunt to advance the runners in his first major league at-bat. With runners on second and third, catcher John Ryan Murphy needed a fly ball to bring home at least one.

He got one high, and in. Veras would throw a wild pitch over the head of Murphy and Brendan Ryan would score from third. For insurance, Murphy would hit a single to right field and the Yankees had a two-run lead. The single by Murphy was the first hit to bring home a run in the game for both sides.

Closer David Robertson would allow a hit but struck out two en route to his ninth save of the season in what can be described as a unpleasant game for both sides. The bullpen did provide 8.2 innings of one-run baseball with 12 strikeouts and three walks.

Win - Preston Claiborne (2-0)

Loss - Jose Veras (0-1)

Save - David Robertson (9)

Notables

Yankees

*John Ryan Murphy - 1 for 2, RBI (6)

*Ichiro Suzuki - 2 for 5, RBI (3)

Cubs

*Mike Olt - 1 for 3, 2B, RBI (24)

*Emilio Bonifacio - 1 for 5, 3B, RBI (10)

Current Yankees Record: 24-21