On Saturday evening, the New York Yankees faced off against Chicago White Sox, losing their first game after winning two consecutive in a four-game series. The Yanks had a great opportunity to win their 6th consecutive game and try to close out a 2nd consecutive series win, but the offense came up short.
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Good news and bad news for the Yankees:
Jordan Montgomery got the start for the Yankees six days after making his last appearance. Over 4.1 innings, Montgomery allowed six hits, two earned runs, and three walks. He struck out four batters over 86 pitches, tossing 52 strikes.
Montgomery has allowed two earned runs in each of his last four starts but still hosts a 3.06 ERA.
Offensively, the Yankees generated nine hits but only managed to get two runs on the board. Giancarlo Stanton had himself another phenomenal outing, posting three hits over four at-bats, including a double and two singles.
Chicago had struggled considerably with their pitching over the first two games, but they finally got a good performance from Dallas Kuchel, who lasted 5.0 innings, giving up four hits.
“The first two games, they were just better than us,” Chicago’s Luis Robert said after the game. “But today we came prepared and were able to execute and then we got on top.”
The biggest disappointment for the Yankees was Aroldis Chapman to close the game, as the Bombers tied it up at the top of the 9th inning after Kyle Higashioka sacrificed into a double play with Joey Gallo scoring.
Chapman just needed to survive the bottom of the 9th so the Yankees could take the game to extra innings, but he allowed a single to centerfield from Tim Anderson and walked Yoan Moncada to put two men on base. Luis Robert singled to right field, driving in Anderson, walking off the game.
It’s impossible to maintain the success the Yankees have enjoyed over the past few weeks. One loss shouldn’t dampen the mood and momentum they built. However, Chapman has been extremely inconsistent this year despite his low ERA, walking batters, and nearly blowing multiple saves.