New York Yankees 2 — Chicago White Sox 3
The return of Chris Sale was too much for the Yankees in the series opener in the South side.
The Yankees came up empty in the first inning, all three strikeouts, and this would be telling of how the game would go with Chris Sale in the game. The lanky lefty was on cruise control through his return from the disabled list. He would strike out the side on two of his first four innings and did not allow a baserunner.
On the other side, David Phelps started for the Yankees and had the tough task of matching zeroes with Sale. After getting the first two outs in the second inning, Paul Konerko, the White Sox’s Yankee killer (.316 with 23 homers, 65 RBIs and a .958 OPS in 102 at-bats), hit a double to right center field. A second double would follow, bouncing into the crowd down the left field line for the first run of the game. A second run would follow on a single after a walk and two runs looked like 20 when Chris Sale is on the mound.
The Yankees first baserunner against Chris Sale came with two outs in the sixth inning when Zoilo Almonte hit a bloop single to center field. Sale would respond by striking out Jacoby Ellsbury for the third time of the night. Over six innings, Chris Sale allowed no runs while striking out 10 and allowing just one hit.
Despite allowing the two runs in the second inning, David Phelps regained his aggressive approach to the strike zone. After a single in the fourth inning, Phelps retired the next 10 batters to finish his start in a very strong way. In seven innings, David Phelps allowed two hits on six runs while walking one and striking out eight. Clearly, David Phelps had his best start of the season. Unfortunately for him, he went head-to-head with Chris Sale.
Alfredo Aceves would come in the eighth inning for David Phelps and began the inning with a leadoff double. After getting the next two outs, Adam Dunn would hit a laser through the shifted infield for the White Sox’s third run of the game. Aceves would finish the inning but the one run he allowed would end up looking huge.
Against closer Ronald Belisario, Ichiro Suzuki hit a pinch-hit single with one out. Jacoby Ellsbury would fly out but Derek Jeter would walk to put the potential tying run at the plate in the form of Mark Teixeira. The Yankees hot-hitting first baseman would hit a single just past Belisario’s head following a passed ball that would bring home two runs. The deficit was down to one before Alfonso Soriano struck out looking on a borderline pitch that could have gone either way.
Win – Chris Sale (4-0)
Loss – David Phelps (1-1)
Save – Ronald Belisario (2)
Notables
Yankees
*Mark Teixeira – 1 for 4, 2 RBI (25)
*Zoilo Almonte – 1 for 2
White Sox
*Alejandro De Aza – 1 for 3, R, 2B, RBI (16)
*Adam Eaton – 2 for 4, RBI (15)
Current Yankees Record: 24-22
